Cynan Ellis-Evans IPY Programme Office SAO Meeting, April 6-7

IPY Concept An intensive burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary, scientific research and observations focussed on the Earth’s Polar regions starting in 2007 ICSU and WMO are co-sponsoring:

1.Current Status of Polar Regions 2.Change in the Polar Regions 3.Global Linkages 4.New Frontiers 5.Polar Regions as Vantage Points 6.The Human Dimension IPY Themes The human dimension also runs through the first five Themes. Data Management and Education, Outreach &Communication are present in all six themes

IPY and Societal Benefits Improving weather information, forecasting, and warnings Improving predictions of climate variability and change Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human- induced disasters Establishing how to mitigate or adapt to environmental factors affecting human health and well being IPY can bring societal benefits to the polar regions in the form of new knowledge, in enhancements to the systems observing change and in understanding of natural and human processes there

IPY and Societal Issues 2 Improving the sustainable management of fisheries/ agriculture Improving the management of resources of water and energy Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems Understanding, monitoring, and conserving biodiversity Providing indigenous people with the tools and capabilities to tackle these societal issues and build capacity

IPY Activities since Arctic Council, Reykjavik Joint Committee appointed to oversee IPY implementation – includes ex-officio members from IASC and SCAR International Programme Office established in UK (Nov 2004) International competition for IPY Director The implementation document “A Framework for IPY ) was published (Nov). Available on the IPY website ICSU-WMO issue call for Expressions of Intent aimed at projects with heavy logistics (Nov) – Deadline 14 th Jan 05

First Meeting of the Joint Committee and First Meeting of the Open Consultative Forum (March 2005) - CAFF, AMAP, U of Arctic, IPS, IASSA, IASC and ICARP II were represented. IPY JC assessed ~ 900 proposals and reduces these to ~50 topics by clustering proposals (March 05) Assessment letters sent to proposal primary contacts and potential lead projects are approached. (end of March 05) Updated website launched ( with searchable database of all 900 IPY proposals (March) IPY Activities since Arctic Council, Reykjavik

Next Steps 1 Further information on logistics requirements to be passed to FARO/COMNAP (April 2005) Ad hoc Task Groups being formed to progress Data and EOC issues (April 2005). Will hand over to Data and EOC Sub-Committees end of June 2005 Meeting with International Group of Funding Agencies (May)

Full proposals (6-7 pages) requested - Deadline June 30, 2005 JC identifies initial set of “core” IPY projects – Aug 2005 Further opportunities for inclusion of IPY projects through into Possibly a second call late in 2005 (decision in August) Ongoing promotion of IPY at international meetings, development of promotional material and the website Next Steps 2

Arctic Council and IPY Valuable for IPY that the Arctic Council is involved  Links to the expertise of AC Working Groups  Access to Forum for Arctic Officials/Indigenous Peoples  Assist with access to Arctic Regions IPY is an opportunity for the Arctic Council  to build on existing programmes  to potentially initiate new projects  to raise public awareness of the Polar regions and Polar issues (the Arctic Portal may be one example)

IPY would welcome involvement from the Council, including: Participation in the development of IPY Contribute nominations for the three major sub-committees? Participation (leadership?) of WG’s in core IPY projects Building on ACIA, the AHDR and the ongoing work of the WG’s, the AC have submitted EoI’s (COMAAR and the Arctic Human Health Initiative, AHHI) but also have expertise in monitoring, information management/transfer (environmental and societal) and Sustainable Development so feasibly there may be more opportunities to contribute. Arctic Council and IPY

Thank You

IPY Main Characteristics International –Undertaking activities not feasible at a national level Geographic focus –Earth’s high latitude regions –Studies of any region relevant to the understanding of polar processes or phenomena Timeframe –1st March 2007 to 1st March 2009 [I – P – Y]

IGY Outcomes Major advances in knowledge & understanding –Discovery of Van Allen Belts –Thickness of the Antarctic Ice Sheets Establishment of Arctic and Antarctic permanent bases and in situ programmes – many still running today Establishment of World Data Centres International Research Bodies ( SCAR, SCOR, etc) Antarctic Treaty System Major public impact as captured the public imagination Enthused scientists to enter polar research Negligible human dimension

IPY Timeline Oct. 2004: ICSU/WMO IPY Joint Committee selected, Expressions requested14 Jan. 2005: Expressions of Intent due to JCFeb 2005: JC examines EoI and provides feedbackMarch 2005: JC reports to Consultative ForumJune 2005: Full Proposals due to JCAugust 2005: JC announces IPY programmeMarch 2007: IPY begins Ongoing opportunities

Observational Initiatives Make synoptic multidisciplinary observations to establish the status of the polar environment in Acquire key data sets necessary to understand change in the polar environment Acquire key data sets necessary to understand global linkages with polar regions Organize internationally coordinated, multidisciplinary expeditions into new scientific frontiers Establish polar observatories to study Earth and beyond Collect datasets on the changing conditions of circumpolar human societies Establish a legacy of multidisciplinary observational networks

The Importance of the Polar Regions Polar regions are active, highly connected components of the planet and the Earth system Polar regions hold unique information on past behaviour of the Earth system – revealing that change is the norm Significant anthropogenically-driven changes are occurring in the Polar regions, impacting ecosystems and communities Polar regions have growing economic and geopolitical significance – ACIA illustrates the dilemma Remote and harsh, both Polar regions are still insufficiently sampled to understand fully what is happening and how There is a need to re-establish / enhance Polar observing systems and activity - both in the short term and long term

IPY Organisational Structure

Mandatory Characteristics of IPY Activities 1.Makes significant advances within one or more IPY themes 2.Involves at least one polar region and takes place within the IPY timeframe 3.Contributes to international collaboration 4.Presents a viable management plan and organisational structure, including a time line when commitments (funding, logistic etc) can be expected 5.Presents a viable approach for securing funding 6.Proposes a viable plan for securing appropriate logistical support 7.Signs up to the principles and aims of IPY data management and proposes a viable data management plan 8.Proposes a viable plan or approach for education, outreach and communication activities 9.Shows how it will foster the next generation of polar researchers

Desirable Characteristics of IPY Activities 1.Includes nations not traditionally involved in polar research 2.Provides the opportunity for a legacy of infrastructure (observation sites, facilities, systems) 3.Builds on existing plans, programmes or initiatives or at least does not conflict with them 4.Has interdisciplinary elements 5.Is “endorsed” by one or more IPY National Committee or International Organisation

“Everyone loves an anniversary” But IGY’s outcomes are the reason for repeating it! 67 nations, 8000 stations (in Antarctica 12 nations / 40 stations) Very broad range of science - lifted polar science to a new level Major advances in knowledge and understanding Involved new technology – dawn of the Space Age Undertaken in the shadow of the Cold War Yet fostered high level international co-operation Establishment of Arctic and Antarctic permanent bases and in situ programmes – many still running today Establishment of World Data Centres/International Research Bodies ( SCAR, SCOR, etc.) and Antarctic Treaty System Major public impact as captured the public imagination

IPY Objectives Seek major advances in knowledge and understanding Obtain a snapshot of the current polar environment Establish a legacy of new or enhanced observational systems, facilities, infrastructure and research networks Ensure unprecedented access to the data generated Attract and develop the next generation of polar scientists and engineers Capture the interest and involvement of polar residents, schoolchildren, the public and decision-makers worldwide

IPY Projects It is intended to use IPY to add value to existing and planned programmes – not offer competing programmes It is hoped that existing projects will develop a surge of coordinated activity in contributing to IPY National projects are encouraged to internationalise to gain additional resources and share logistics Projects to establish infrastructure or develop education /outreach/communication initiatives are encouraged

IPY So Far Scientists from 35 nations already involved Over 560 IPY “ideas” have been proposed 32 National Committees and Points of Contact established Endorsement/Support from 42 Organisations Science and Implementation Framework document completed The IPY Website has an average 2000 hits/day Downloads from the site  Outline Science Plan 12,500  IPY PowerPoint 3,300 Several nations already agreed substantial investments of new money for the IPY period, funding bodies are engaging.

Snapshot and Legacy International Year of Planet Earth International Heliophysical Year EXISTING POLAR ACTIVITIES Electronic Geophysical Year IPY SNAPSHOT LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION IPY PLANNING ACIA ICARP II IPY

THE IPY WEBSITE -