# Presentation: 644328

## International Polar Year IPY 2007/2008

- ICSU IPY Planning Group

## IPY Legacy

- First Polar Year – 1882/3
- Second Polar Year – 1932/3
- International Geophysical Year – 1957/8
*Fostered International Cooperation during the Cold War*
*Raised Polar Science to a New Level*
*Antarctic Treaty signed*

## Advocates of a new IPY

- Numerous individuals, institutes, agencies, nations
- U.S. Polar Research Board
*Brainstorming Workshop Nov. 2002*
- European Polar Board & SCAR
*Appointed Coordinator - Feb. 2003*
- _International Council of Science_ (ICSU)
*Approved concept of Planning Group - Feb 2003 *
- ASSW – AOSB & IASC endorsements
- WMO
- ATCM
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## ICSU IPY Planning Group

- Established June 2003
- First meeting July31-August 2, 2003
- Terms of Reference adopted:
*Stimulate, encourage and organize debate on IPY;*
*Formulate set of IPY objectives;*
*Develop high-level IPY Science Plan;*
- Promotes international cooperation
- Research activities not possible within national programs
- Balances Arctic and Antarctic sciences, including social science
- Engages young scientists
- Educates the public

## ICSU IPY Planning Group

- Present Membership
*Chris Rapley (Chair) EPB IPY representative*
*Robin Bell (USA, Vice-Chair) USPRB Chair*
*Ian Allison (Australia)*
*Robert Bindschadler (USA)*
*Gino Casassa (Chile)*
*Steve Chown (South Africa)*
*Gerard Duhaime (Canada)*
*Vladimir Kotlyakov (Russia)*
*Olav Orheim (Norway)*
*Prem Pandi (India)*
*Hanne Peterson (Denmark)*
*Zhanghai Zhan (China)*
*TBD (Japan)*
- Support staff
*Chris Elfring, Committee Support*
*Daniel Rodary, ICSU Liason*
- Observers from ICSU Unions  and interested polar groups

## Emerging IPY Vision

- An international program of coordinated research to explore the polar regions, deepen understanding of polar interactions including their role in global climate, expand our ability to detect changes, and extend this knowledge to the public and decision makers.

## Why Polar?

- Polar regions are a Key Part of the Global System
*Drive changes globally*
*Changes in the Poles are occurring rapidly and possibly accelerating*
*Global changes are amplified at the poles*
*Poles hold a unique repository of Global Change Information*

## Why International?

- Challenging Polar Environment Fosters International Collaboration
*International Collaboration Enhances Research and Knowledge*
*Partnered research drives Innovation and Financial Efficiency*
*Science Collaboration builds International Harmony*

## Why 2007?

- 50th anniversary of the IGY
- A Focused Effort will produce Accelerated Understanding of our Planet
*Intensive, Multidisciplinary Program ensures Holistic Insights into Planetary Processes*
*Recent Technology and Logistic Advances provide opportunity to implement New Modes of Planetary Study*
*Collaborative Effort will lay the Foundation for Future Generations and will produce a Major Benchmark*

## IPY Characteristics

- Address compelling science issues
- Research activities that would not otherwise occur
- Internationally co-ordinated polar observations and analysis
- Attract and develop next generation of polar scientists
- Engage the public
- Plus
*Multidisciplinary*
*Bipolar*
*Innovative technology*
*Societal relevance*

## IPY Major Themes

- Exploration of New Frontiers
- Understanding Change at the Poles
- Decoding Polar Processes

## Exploration of New Frontiers 

- Examples:
*Sub-ice Habitats and Environments*
*Polar Biodiversity and **	**Ecosystems*
*Dynamic Change in the **	**Earth’s Interior*
*Explore the Polar Night*

## Understanding Change at the Poles 

- Examples:
*Changes in Polar Society: Drivers, History, Stresses and Opportunities *
*New Polar Benchmarks and Retrospectives*
*Stability of the Cryosphere*
*Integrated Polar Observing Networks*
*Environmental and Societal Change*

## Decoding Polar Processes

- Examples:
*Sun-Earth Connections*
*Role of the Poles in the Global Climate **	**System *
*Pollution and Health: Transport, **	**Accumulation and Impacts*
*Polar Genomics and Ecosystem **	**Function*

## Enabling technologies

- New satellite instruments
- “Fastdrill” / “Shaldrill”
- Autonomous Platforms, Underwater Vehicles, Airborne Vehicles, Rovers
- New Genomic / Proteomic / Bioinformatics technologies
- ...

## IPY Organization

- Planning Group

## Timeline

## Timeline (Sept.-Nov. 2003)

- Open Letter from Planning Group requests:
- Statement of Intent from each nation/organization
-    and key contact identified;
- Comments on three overarching themes;
- Brief descriptions (1-2 pages) of concepts for research
-    activities;
- Brief descriptions of cross-cutting activities with major
-    logistical requirements

## Timeline (Dec. 2003-Feb. 2004)

- Planning Group Meeting #2:
- Finalize major themes;
- Review proposed Research Activities & Big
-    Projects;
- Identify Major Gaps;
- Form Science Steering Groups;
- Form Education/Outreach and Information
-    Technology Groups;
- Draft Plan for ICSU Executive Board

## Timeline (Mar.-Sept. 2004)

- Input from National Committees
- Science Steering Groups begin
- Guide/massage research activities
- Present progress at ASSW, SCAR
-    and COMNAP
- Education/Outreach Workshop
- Planning Group Meeting #3
- Review Steering Group progress

## Timeline (Sept.2004-Sept.2005)

- Final input from Nat’l Comm.
- Steering Groups continue
- Planning Group finalizes
-    IPY Program & writes
-    Science Plan
- Present IPY program at Open
-    Science Conference, ASSW,
-    ICARP2 and ICSU General
-    Assembly

## Challenges

- Secretariat
*Full time with secretary and IT support*
- Reaching everyone
- Processing Feedback

## We look forward to your input, enthusiasm and participation

## Process ideas

- Quantum jump in current research:
*Physical science / climate / teleconnections / accelerated water cycle /dynamic poles / impacts on humans / unique role of polar regions in rapid climate change / Sun-Earth connections*
*Exploit existing satellites / field assets / models*
*Devise standard methodologies / interoperability*
*Galvanise the development of new technologies to assist*
- New Frontiers
*Life in extreme  environments / genome / evolution, adaptation, census of life*
*Under the ice (land, lake and ocean)*

## Monitoring Change ideas 

- Selected long-term data sets
- Space snapshot – “Cryoscope”
- “Armada”
- “Backward view”

## Education & Outreach ideas

- Leading broadcaster / communicator on each National Committee
- Communication sub group
- Teachers / schoolchildren / general public competition to participate
- Schoolchildren role in analysis