The Arctic Portal provides a comprehensive gateway to the Arctic on the internet, increases co-operation between both public and private parties across the Arctic and grants exposure to Arctic related information.

Cape Farewell brings artists, scientists and educators together to bring about long-term change in cultural attitudes towards climate change. Created by artist David Buckland in 2001, Cape Farewell has lead three expeditions to the High Arctic, the frontline of climate change. From these expeditions has sprung an extraordinary body of artwork, a film co-produced by the BBC, Cape Farewell’s first major book title, The CD ARCTIC by Max Eastley, educational resources for GCSE Geography and Science and a UN award winning website. The project is widely acknowledged to be the most significant sustained artistic response to climate change anywhere in the world.

The Arctic sea ice cover is undergoing significant climate-induced changes, resulting in a reduction in ice extent and a net thinning of the sea ice cover. During IPY researchers from 10 nations will be studying the properties and processes that govern this sea ice cover and exploring its role as an indicator and amplifier of climate change. Numerous techniques will be brought to bear on this task, including expeditions, satellite remote sensing, autonomous rovers, buoys, ocean moorings, and numerical models.

Monitoring of Development of Traditional Indigenous Land Use Areas in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Northwest Russia

Intensive oil-and-gas development occurs in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, northwestern Russia. Severe impacts occur on the environment and on the situation of the indigenous reindeer herders. The project aims at monitoring the situation and producing a GIS database, which documents oil-related and traditional activities and can be used to promote interests of traditional land users. The participation of the Association of Nenets People Yasavey will ensure that local indigenous peoples’ knowledge and viewpoints are taken care of. Local GIS expertise, administration and Russian legal expertise is attached to the project. A working group of international experts formed to evaluate attained data. (Click on map for a larger downloadable version.)

This Activity involves science and social science research that has been initiated as a result of the recent melting of glaciers and alpine ice patches. Melting of these scientific “deep freezes”, is providing unanticipated data sources that are giving us insight into past northern societies, flora/fauna, environments, and their changes through time.

Extensive research, completed in all eight Arctic countries (Greenland/Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and USA/Alaska), is now available on contaminant levels (persistent organic pollutants and metals), social and cultural change, climate change impacts and disease rates in human populations. Much of this research also examines specific ‘change factors’ or pressures. The majority of this work has been reported or published through the assessment reports of the Arctic Council of circumpolar nations; however, integrating and communicating the various streams of research disciplines has been difficult. This project will draw together new and established scientists and policy makers in an international symposium at the end of the IPY. Invited