# Presentation: 908932

## Highlights of National and International IPY Activities

- Chris Elfring, Director

- Polar Research Board of the
- National Academies
- U.S. National Committee for
- International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008

## IPY Concept

- 	IPY 2007-2008 will be an intense, internationally coordinated campaign of polar observations, research and analysis that will advance understanding of physical and social processes in polar regions, examine their globally-connected role in the climate system, and establish research infrastructure for the future.
- 	IPY will galvanize new and innovative observations and research while building on and enhancing existing initiatives.

## History of the “International Year” Concept

- 1882-1883: 1st IPY, 11 nations, first coordinated international science
- 1932-1933: 2nd IPY, 40 nations, meteorology, magnetism, radio science
- 1957-1958: 3rd IPY (Internat’l Geophysical Year)
- 	67 nations, geosciences, WWII technologies
- 2007-2008: 4th IPY, 63 nations, broad interdisciplinary focus, emphasis on environmental change. Includes social science.

## Evolution of IPY 2007-2008

- Why an IPY?   Who-What-When-Where-How?
- 2002-2003:  Early, scattered discussions
- 2003:  US National Committee for IPY formed
- 2003:  ICSU forms first IPY Planning Group
- 2005:  ICSU-WMO form Joint Committee
- 2006-2009:  ICSU-WMO Joint Committee as key international group (IPY Programme Office)
- 2006-2009:  Many national planning activities

## US National Committee for IPY

- www.us-ipy.org

## IPY Research Themes

- Status: determine present environmental status of the polar regions
- Change: quantify/understand past & present environmental & social change and project future change
- Global Linkages: advance understanding on all scales of links and interactions between poles & the global system
- New Frontiers: investigate the frontiers of science in the polar regions
- Vantage Point: use unique vantage point of poles to enhance observations (from interior to Sun)
- Human Dimensions: investigate cultural, historical, and social processes that shape circumpolar societies

## What Makes Something Part of IPY?

- Advances within one or more IPY themes
- Involves at least one pole and begins in timeframe
- International collaboration
- Viable management plan and organisational structure
- Funding
- Viable plan for logistical support
- Supports principles of IPY data management
- Includes education, outreach and communication activities
- Helps engage the next generation of polar researchers
- Provides opportunities for lasting legacies
- Builds on existing plans and initiatives (or doesn’t conflict!)
- Has interdisciplinary elements

## US Opening Ceremony for IPY

- February 26, 2007
- National Academy of Sciences Building
- Washington, DC

## US Opening Ceremony for IPY

- February 26, 2007
- National Academy of Sciences Building
- Washington, DC

## A Sampling of IPY Projects

## A Sampling of IPY Projects

**A Sampling of IPY Projects**

## IPY Success = Lasting Legacies

- Permanent observation and monitoring networks
- Long-term management of and access to the explosion of data that IPY will create
- Raising the public profile of the polar regions
- Training the next generation of polar researchers
- Sharing logistical information more broadly and more efficiently
- Coordination of funding
- Increasing the capacity of Arctic residents to support and engage in research activities
- Improving the links between observation/monitoring and modeling