Belgium opens new Antarctic climate change research station

The Princess Elisabeth Station is seen in Utsteinen, Antarctica. (AP)

Published Sunday, February 15, 2009

By AP

Belgian officials and scientists have opened a new €20 million ‘zero emissions’ polar science station in Antarctica.

The Belgian-based International Polar Foundation, which operates the station, says it will conduct research on climate change. It says the base will aim not to emit any pollution. The Princess Elisabeth station is totally energy self-sufficient. It will generate energy from wind and solar power. It took two years to construct and move the prefabricated station to the South Pole.

Researchers, including glacioloigists, from Belgium, Japan, France, Britain and the United States are already at work at the base.

The foundation said Belgian Defense Minister Pieter De Crem inaugurated the base, just north of the continent’s Soer Rondane Mountains, on Sunday.

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