Vladimir Kosterin met with academician Serhey Komisarenko
Antarctica is the southernmost and coldest continent on Earth. Quite recently, the famous Ukrainian scientist, diplomat, director of the Institute of Biochemistry named after V.I. A.V. Palladin National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Sergey Komisarenko.
The memoirs “My Antarctica” collect valuable memories of the first Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom and an interesting experience of international cooperation, as a result of which Ukraine received from Britain the Antarctic Faraday station, later renamed “Academician Vernadsky”. This station is famous for the discovery of the ozone hole as a natural phenomenon. Those who are interested in climate change and environmental risk assessment understand the importance of such a base for scientific research, since it is in such harsh conditions, where there is practically no human influence, that reliable information on the climate problem can be obtained.
July 2020 marks 25 years since Ukraine joined the club of the Antarctic States. This is not only a status, but an opportunity to be in the scientific mainstream and influence the global agenda to reduce climate and other risks.
“Thanks to the efforts of Academician Serhiy Komisarenko, who at that time was the ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ukraine got the opportunity to conduct scientific research, having its own base in Antarctica. Knowing my interest in the environmental topic, Sergei Vasilievich, ten years ago, introduced me to polar scientists in Kiev. I remember I was pleasantly surprised by the level of knowledge and preparation of our expedition. The strength of Ukraine is in people like Sergei Vasilievich, so I would like the authorities to rely on the expert assessment and experience of real statesmen and scientists ” – said Volodymyr Kosterin, head of the Risk Reduction International Foundation.
Thus, the respect for the scientific school on the part of the British partners and the professionalism of the diplomatic corps made it possible to continue the developments of the British and Soviet scientists at the Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky", forming the basis for modern climatic and biological research.
