A word from the founder Anne Kershaw, MBE
I founded the Polar Commitment Foundation in 2019, but in truth this journey began more than thirty years ago when I first dedicated my working life to Antarctica.
Antarctica is vast, magnificent, and fragile all at once.
Over three decades I have seen extraordinary scientific discovery, remarkable international cooperation, and also the growing pressures placed upon this unique continent. Those experiences shaped a simple but profound conviction: if we are to preserve Antarctica, we must work together more intelligently and more responsibly than ever before.
The Polar Commitment Foundation exists for that reason.
We believe deeply in science. We believe in responsible tourism. Both expand understanding, education and appreciation of this extraordinary place. Our objective is not to restrict access nor to hinder essential operations. Antarctica is vital to the world’s climate systems and to the scientific knowledge that helps us confront global change. To do nothing is neither practical nor wise.
Instead, our purpose is to strengthen collaboration — to improve how we coordinate, how we share information, and how we manage our collective presence on the continent.
There are only seven continents on earth. We have the opportunity to preserve one of them… Antarctica.
I hope you will join us in achieving our vision.
Anne
