ICSU and WMO launch the largest polar research programme in 50 years IPY Launch Press Release (PDF) 26 February, 2007 International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 officially gets underway on 1 March, 2007. IPY, which is a programme of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), will be the largest internationally coordinated scientific research effort in 50 years. During the course of IPY, thousands of scientists, from over 60 countries and a wide range of research disciplines, will carry out 220 science and outreach projects under six major themes: Status: to determine the present environmental s...

The Circumpolar Arctic is one of the least technologically connected regions in the world. In an effort to change that, the people who call this vast geographic area home have been stepping up to take their rightful place in the growing global information society. Over the past two decades, rapid changes to communication technologies have created a steady rise of organizations and leaders dedicated to finding ways to better promote and share aboriginal experiences, current events, traditional stories and art from all high Arctic regions. Two events, the Shared Arctic: Contemporary Circumpolar Artwork Exhibition and a Round Table Discussion entitled Breaking the Ice: Communications with the Arctic have been scheduled in Geneva, Switzerland to celebrate both the d...

Activities carried out from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina for the IPY 2007-2008 1) In accordance with chapter 3.3.4 of the IPY Framework, a group of students from the National University “Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan Bosco” has been stationed at an Argentinean Station in Antarctica, “Camara base”, at Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands. The main idea is to help create awareness amongst cruise-tourists about the importance of the IPY and the lines of research proposed. This is carried out by handing out leaflets and giving further information to visitors on the island. For the antarctic season 2007/2008 we foresee to have as well students on other Argentinean stations. 2) The official opening ceremony for the IPY in Ushuai...

February 15, 2007

The permafrost regions occupy 24% of the Northern Hemisphere’s land area and all glacier-free areas of the Antarctic continent. To obtain a snapshot of ground temperatures, thawing rates, and organic carbon contents of the permafrost regions, four coordinated IPY permafrost programmes are underway, involving 50 individual projects from 28 countries and hundreds of researchers and students. Geographically, the programme includes both polar regions and covers the mountains and plateau regions of the mid- and low-latitudes. The major focus of the programme is to observe and document current changes in permafrost conditions. These measurements serve as a baseline against which to evaluate future changes and to validate current models. Existing networks include boreholes for ...

ATTENTION: News, Education Editors CONTACT: Tom Simons, University Communications, (402) 472-8514 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 19, 2006 -- The Antarctic Geological Drilling (ANDRILL) Program drilled to a new record depth of 1,000 meters below the seafloor from the site on the Ross Ice Shelf near Scott Base in Antarctica Dec. 16. The depth made ANDRILL the most successful Antarctic drilling program in terms of depth and rock core recovered, breaking the previous record of 999.1 meters set in 2000 by the Ocean Drilling Program's drill ship, the Joides Resolution. The operations team of 25 drillers, engineers and support staff are justifiably thrilled, ANDRILL Project Manager Jim Cowie said. Antarctica New Ze...

A Media Advisory was today issued by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announcing the Global Launch of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 A PDF of the media advisory is also available. Place : Palais de la Découverte, Paris, France, 1 March 2007 Programme: 11:00 am: Opening ceremony; 11:30 Press conference; 12:00 Buffet lunch Speakers: Prof Thomas Rosswall, Executive Director, International Council for Science (ICSU) Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Dr David Carlson, Director, IPY Progra...