C23B-01 13:40h
Summary of Planning for IPY 2007-2008
Tremendous progress has been made in planning International Polar Year 20072-2008, both within the United States and at the international level. IPY 2007-2008 will be an intense, coordinated field campaign of polar observations, research, and analysis that will be multidisciplinary in scope and international in participation. This presentation will summarize two reports by the Polar Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences that (1) provide a broad framework for IPY activities and (2) begin the discussion of how to plan implementation of IPY activities. It will also provide an update on international planning and the evolution of US collaborations with other nations in the IPY context.
http://www.us-ipy.org
C23B-02 13:55h
WMO Role In The International Polar Year 2007-2008
The Fourteenth World Meteorological Congress in May 2003 had approved the idea of holding an International Polar Year in 2007-2008. The ICSU Executive Board in February 2004 decided to establish an IPY in 2007-2008 and invited WMO to jointly sponsor the IPY. In June 2004, ICSU and WMO agreed to act as cosponsors for the IPY. WMO contributions to the IPY would be focused on the areas of activities that are closely related to five themes of IPY Science Plan. One of the most important areas is the enhancement of observing components in Polar Regions. It includes re-activation of existing or establishing of new meteorological stations, increase the number of drifting buoys, ships and aircraft in Polar Regions. The existing satellites and new operational satellites with observational capabilities for Polar Regions will be used. In the atmospheric research area WMO plans to enhance integrated monitoring of the ozone layer, using ground-based optical remote sensing instrumentation and ozone sondes aircraft and satellites. It is also planned to intensify integrated measurement and modelling of the transport of greenhouse gases and aerosols. The period of IPY will overlap with the timeframe of Global Atmosphere Research Programme /(THORPEX/) carried out by WMO. Its implementation in Polar Regions is considered as part of IPY that would increase knowledge of global to regional influences on the initiation, evolution and predictability of high-impact weather, and contribute to the design and demonstration of interactive forecast system that allow information to flow between users, numerical modellers, data assimilation system and observations to maximize forecast skill and enhance the utility of forecasts. In the area of climate assessment WMO is intended to participate in the development of an IPY data management plan and coordinate establishment of a database of historical polar climate and related data, investigate teleconnections between polar regions and the lower latitudes and assess future climate change in Polar Regions. WMO as cosponsor of WCRP is also intended to intensify polar climate studies addressing the role of cryospheric processes and feedbacks through which the cryosphere interacts with other components of the climate system, assess the impacts of past and future climatic variability on components of the cryosphere and their consequences. In polar oceanography, it is planned to extend the study of physical processes in polar oceans as well as the role of polar oceans in climate change. For this purpose it would be necessary to establish the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean Observing Systems and collect IPY observational data containing a snapshot of the polar oceans. To achieve quantitative understanding of fresh water input to the Arctic Basin WMO would initiate the project to provide data on river input to the Arctic basin over the entire Arctic drainage area by the establishment of the observational network with Data Collection Platforms. Recognizing that the overall concept on IPY addressed a broad range of scientific issues, including strong climate and environmental monitoring components, the WMO and ICSU decided to act jointly as leading agencies for the preparation and implementation of the IPY and establish an IPY Joint Committee for planning and coordination of the IPY 2007-2008 with participation of relevant international organisations.
C23B-03 14:10h
Social Sciences and Humanities in the IPY 2007/08: An Integrating Mission
Our understanding of the human dimension of polar regions is immensely greater today than at the beginning of polar science. In the IPY 2007/2008, social sciences and humanities aspire to become fully engaged members of a new multidisciplinary effort. They are eager to address issues of partnership and public involvement, socio-economic development, governance, cultural viability and human rights of polar residents. These societal issues are among the top priorities of the IPY 2007/2008 mission to enhance the understanding of human-environmental interactions in the polar systems and to promote the value of polar science and global monitoring among the public at large. Other social issues-security, diplomacy, demography, health, education, communications-are also critical to polar research and to the scientific advance into the Arctic and Antarctica. The success of IPY 2007/08 requires the articulation of the common interest among scientists, polar peoples, economic actors, and sovereign nations, facing current global change. Experience from various regions present convincing evidence that lasting progress in the understanding and preservation of the environment can only be achieved if local populations are respected and involved. Research made at the "poles" is, thus, crucial for establishing models of equity and involvement, partnership and outreach. In this mission of the IPY 2007/2008 program social scientists and humanists are to make credible contributions. One of the key missions for social scientists under the IPY 2007/2008 program is to develop cooperative observation programs involving interested indigenous experts, subsistence users, and other polar residents. Through generations of life in the polar environment, polar people have developed long-standing knowledge and observation techniques in recording and interpreting a broad range of signals and phenomena in the polar systems. Efforts to integrate local experts into year-round circumpolar observing networks would provide polar researchers with an opportunity to learn of both present and past conditions from the vast store of indigenous knowledge and to augment instrument and satellite data with local observations. Another critical task for social scientists is to initiate studies of human and societal adaptations to past and present change in the polar regions. Research should target strategies and adaptive mechanisms that worked in the past and that are working today, particularly as seen from the community perspective. Analysis of past and present human responses to both physical/natural and social change would inform our broader understanding of integrated social and ecological systems in the polar regions and at the global level. Partnering with polar communities will help the IPY scientists develop new strategies and holistic approaches to explore unique contributions from polar regions to global systems, cultures, and science. These new approaches will promote scholarly cooperation between polar researchers and local residents; advance the scientific use of traditional knowledge; advance studies in community sustainability, subsistence and co-management strategies, ecosystem health, spiritual and environmental healing, heritage and language preservation. Previous IPY/IGY ventures have sparked human imagination and helped build public interest in polar research. The legacy of IPY 2007-2008, when preserved in diaries, instruments, photographs, and museum collections, will excite new generations of researchers and public in 25, 50 or even 100 years from now, as much as the memories, records, and collections of the earlier Polar Years helped generate enthusiasm for the IPY 2007/2008.
C23B-04 14:25h
IGY+50, the IPY, and the electronic Geophysical Year (eGY)
During the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), member countries established geophysical observatories around the world. These nations were pursuing major IGY objectives - to collect geophysical data as widely as possible and to provide free access to these data for all scientists around the globe. By the beginning of the 21st century, we have achieved an unparalleled ability to acquire data and attained a good understanding of traditional regions - the troposphere, the magnetosphere, and other such "spheres". Much of the new and important science now is coming from the study of the boundaries between these regions and of coupling between geophysical domains. Thus, we need to make data available in a readily accessible form and in much greater quantities to a wider range of scientists than ever before. Several major international initiatives - notably the International Polar Year - have been proposed to commemorate and to follow on from the original IGY. As an important part of IGY+50, an International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) task group has recognized that a key achievement of the IGY was the establishment of a system of data centers and physical observatories. It has been agreed that for the 50th anniversary of IGY, scientific societies should promote the establishment of a system of Virtual Observatories. This can provide a forward impetus to geophysics n this century similar to that provided by the IGY fifty years ago. The proposed electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) concept embraces all available and upcoming geophysical data (e.g., atmospheric, geomagnetic, gravity, ionospheric, magnetospheric, etc.) and would organize them into a series of virtual geophysical observatories "deployed" in cyberspace. This concept implies a free access to all available data through the Internet and World Wide Web, taking advantage of existing networking hardware and software technologies (e.g., Internet, XML, Semantic Web, etc.). The eGY can be smoothly incorporated into the planned International Polar Year initiative and will provide an international focus for a resolve to address the issues of data release, data discovery, and data preservation. The eGY initiative is pragmatic and affordable and has been embraced by all IUGG associations.
C23B-05 14:40h
Data Management Considerations for the International Polar Year
The legacy of the International Geophysical Year and past International Polar Years is in the scientific data collected. The upcoming IPY will result in an unprecedented collection of geophysical and social science data from the polar regions. To realize the full scientific and interdisciplinary utility of these data it is essential to consider the design of data management systems early in the expirimental planning process. This paper will present an array of high level data management considerations for the IPY including cross-disciplinary data access, essential documentation, system guidance, and long-term data archiving. Specific recommendations from relevant international organizations such as the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management and the WCRP Climate and Cryosphere Programme will be considered. The potential role of the Electronic Geophysical Year and other International Years will also be discussed.
C23B-06 14:55h
"Got Snow?" Education and Outreach for the IPY
The "Bridging the Poles: Education Linked with Research" workshop of June 23-25, brought together an international group of 65 scientists, educators and media specialists to define strategies to engage the next generation of polar scientists, engineers and leaders, and inspire the general public. The workshop results emphasized the need to leverage emerging science programs with meaningful education and outreach programming that is rolled out to the public as major media events. Participants advocated a broad interdisciplinary approach, recognizing that the poles have a rich cultural heritage and fascinating history. Linking research events with student fascination about polar environments, peoples and histories of exploration, can help improve science, math, reading, and other skills. Distance learning with web course delivery is a powerful tool to reach advanced students and to help develop a new generation of researchers among Arctic indigenous peoples. Successful examples of this approach include the University of the Arctic's PhD network, and collaborative field courses. Field experiences build life-long advocates of the poles for students, teachers, and the media alike. Establishing connections among scientists, educators and informal outreach venues in their own community, can have long-lasting impact. "Think Globally/Act Locally" and the complementary "Think Locally/Act Globally" will be important themes for local, national and international IPY programming. Imagine a semi-trailer truck labeled "Got Snow?" traversing the country loaded with polar gear, interactive activities and a snowmaker; polar exhibitions opening at natural history and art museums and zoos; polar-themed postage stamps; national polar book-of-the-month recommendations; made-for-TV polar documentaries; and a rich, multidisciplinary and multilingual web portal. To meet these opportunities requires coordination, linking communities, and high-bandwidth access to high quality content from the polar regions. We need to start now to develop an integrated research/media/education strategy; establish partners among the research, media, and education communities; and diversify participation and audiences.
C23B-07 15:10h
Studies of Environmental Arctic Change and the International Polar Year
Recent changes observed in the Arctic such as, for example, increase in surface air temperature, decrease in sea ice extent and thickness, decrease in permafrost extent and depth, land cover changes and migration of vegetation zones, or changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation have impacts on societies and economies in high northern latitudes including damage or loss of built infrastructure, fisheries, or subsistence to name just a few examples. Understanding the nature of these changes and developing response strategies have found wide interest in the scientific community and resulted in the U.S. program SEARCH (Study of Environmental ARctic Change). The same issues have also been identified by the IPY community as one of the priority items for extensive research activities in 2007/08 with the expectation to sustain an increased effort in this research area into the foreseeable future. In this contribution we discuss the status and plans of SEARCH for the period of the IPY effort. We focus the presentation on elements of SEARCH that fit most effectively into the emerging IPY planning documents and explore ways to enhance the synergistic effects expected from close coordination of IPY and SEARCH activities.
http://psc.apl.washington.edu/search/index.html
C23B-08 15:25h
Investigating the subglacial environment and geology of Antarctica and Greenland by direct means
Here we present an initiative for the International Polar Year in 2007/08 to directly investigate the subglacial environment and geology of Antarctica and Greenland, representing a new frontier in ice sheet research, and a proposal to develop the technology - a hydro-mechanical drill - necessary to obtain rock and sediment samples from beneath deep glacier ice. The Antarctic continent is 98% ice covered and thus the subglacial environment is inaccessible to the geologist, glaciologist and biologist as well as other scientists. While subglacial geology influences the conditions at the ice sheet base and thus the subglacial environment, the subglacial environment provides a habitat for life in a truly extreme environment. High geothermal heat fluxes play a key role in facilitating fast ice streaming in Greenland as well as in Antarctica. Basal melt water production in the ice sheets interior, lubricating the ice sheet base, is playing a key role in facilitating the fast motion of the North-East Ice Stream in Greenland as well as the West-Antarctic ice streams. However aero-geophysical and seismic observations in combination with interpolation from surrounding out crops and the study of sediment deposited by the ice sheet is currently the only information about the underlying bedrock geology of these ice sheets. Limited information about the subglacial environment is further available from a very limited number of boreholes drilled to the bottom of West-Antarctic ice streams and ongoing ice coring in East and West-Antarctica as well as Greenland. We therefore propose to start during the International Polar Year in 2007/08 a field oriented research initiative to systematically study the subglacial environment and underlying geology and its influence on the dynamic of ice sheets. At present several proposals are pending to further develop the necessary technology: fast-access drilling using hot water with the capability to retrieve rock, sediment, water and ice samples from the ice base at an intermediate depth of up to 2000 m. In addition efforts are also made to develop supplemental tools for deep ice coring projects, to retrieve rock and sediment samples from the bottom of existing and proposed boreholes.