Mission & Vision
Océan Polaire, founded by renowned explorer Jean-Louis Etienne, is at the forefront of global marine research and conservation. Through the Polar POD, an innovative drifting research platform designed for the extreme conditions of the Southern Ocean, our mission is to provide critical open-access data on ocean-atmosphere exchanges, including CO₂ absorption, marine biodiversity, and climate change. These insights are key in creating global climate models and informing international policies on ocean protection.
Our work transcends borders, addressing urgent environmental challenges that impact every nation, including the United States. We actively seek partnerships with American universities, research institutions, and scientists to collaborate on groundbreaking studies and join us in our shared vision, ensuring that the data we collect benefits the entire global scientific community and shapes a sustainable future for our planet.
Actions Led
Our initiatives are designed to generate world-class scientific knowledge, influence international environmental policies, and educate the next generation of ocean advocates. Key actions include:
Advancing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Our research supports the creation and monitoring of MPAs, which are essential for preserving marine biodiversity.
Promoting the Role of Oceans in Climate Regulation: The Southern Ocean absorbs a significant portion of global CO₂ emissions. Our data enhances climate models and helps scientists worldwide, including those in the U.S., refine predictions and solutions.
Protecting Marine Ecosystems and Human Health: By analyzing water quality and microplastic levels, we provide crucial information on ocean pollution, benefiting both marine life and communities that rely on the ocean.
Fostering Global Scientific Cooperation: Our open-data approach ensures that universities, laboratories, and independent researchers—including those in the United States—can access and utilize our findings for their own studies.
Educating and Inspiring Future Generations: We engage with schools, universities, and the wider public through conferences, digital resources, and academic partnerships, fostering a deeper understanding of ocean conservation.
By bridging scientific expertise across continents, we empower a global network of researchers and decision-makers to take meaningful action for our oceans.
Projects that U.S. Donors Can Support
Supporting Océan Polaire through Friends of Fondation de France is an opportunity for American donors, institutions, and corporations to directly impact climate research and ocean conservation while benefiting from U.S. tax deductions. Your contributions will help to fund scientific expeditions on the Polar Pod to promote the establishment of marine protected areas and measure their impact on biodiversity, carry out continuous measurements of CO2 absorption by the Southern Ocean, contribute to the discovery and preservation of marine species, and protect human health through work such as analyzing water quality and measuring microplastic levels in the water.
In addition to its purely scientific activities, Océan Polaire works to educate the public and younger generations through programs in schools, universities, and at conferences.