A human and scientific adventure

From 6 October to 1 November, a team of scientists from CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research) and UPMC (the Pierre and Marie Curie University) will be embarking on an expedition on the Marion Dufresne, a logistics and oceanographic ship. The expedition is part of the SOCLIM (Southern Ocean and Climate) project, supported by the BNP Paribas Foundation and by IPEV (the French polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor). 

During the one-month voyage, this research vessel, equipped with cutting-edge equipment, will sail the challenging waters of the Southern Ocean, the heart of the oceans, to allow researchers to better understand how it functions and its influence on climate.

Unprecedented data from the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean plays a central role in the planet’s climate system. Its geographic location places it at the heart of all the oceans, linking the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

It is estimated that it cools the temperature of the equivalent of half of all of the oceans by 2°C, and that its cold waters absorb a very large part of the CO₂ emitted by humans. 

The Southern Ocean’s lack of accessibility due to its remoteness and extreme weather conditions have limited scientific expeditions, and our knowledge of this ocean is still incomplete.

However, one thing is clear: global warming is disrupting all of the ocean’s natural mechanisms. 

Raising public awareness about the challenges of climate change and scientific research

Supported by the BNP Paribas Foundation and Universcience, the SOCLIM team, accompanied by technicians, journalists and students, will cross the Southern Ocean, sailing from Reunion to the Kerguelen Islands.

Yseult Berger (a journalist from Science-Actualités.fr) and Julien Boulanger (a photographer) will be sharing their journey of nearly a full month aboard the Marion Dufresne. They will document the expedition through a ship’s log, videos, photos and portraits.