As part of an ongoing coverage of China's IPY Polar research projects and activities, SciencePoles interviewed Professor Yang Huigen, the new Director of the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), responsible for carrying our scientific research in the Polar Regions, operating Chinese research stations and vessels, and promoting cooperation with international Polar research organisations. In this interview, Professor Yang discusses the current upgrade of China's Polar research infrastructure, including existing Chinese research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic, the Chinese ice breaker Xue Long, and the planned...

Gallery SPOT features the painter Pierre Auzias, the photographer Martin Lehmann and the filmmaker Bertrand Lozay in the art installation: Slush! Artistic reflections on the increasing global temperature in Greenland Launching Saturday, March 1. From 2 - 5 pm. The exhibition runs to March 30, 2008. The exhibition operates in two levels, connecting both to the physical gallery space as well as to the social and psychological space of Greenland. By embracing a variety of different media and symbolic effects, the exhibition demonstrates current identity and environmental issues in Greenland. During the opening show Pierre Auzias is working in an interdisciplinary manner, creating a site specific installation. Auzias´...

In collaboration with this year's Celebrate the North theme of Ice Alaska 2008, the University of Alaska International Polar Year office has scheduled several activities at the ice park to provide visitors with a chance to learn about polar research. The activities will begin with an IPY celebration ceremony at 2 p.m. on March 8, at the IPY ice stage at the ice park. The event will feature a presentation of flags from all of the circumpolar nations followed by the Borealis Brass premier of Polar Synthesis, a full-length composition by UAF Associate Professor James Bicigo, based on the Polar Fanfare Bicigo composed last March in recognition of IPY. The local Pavva dance group will perform in celebration of Alaska's unique cultures and Nanook the bear wi...

PRESS RELEASE Alfred-Wegener-Institut for Polar- und Meeresforschung in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Institute for Polar and Marine Research Communications Dept. Postfach 12 01 61, 27515 Bremerhaven/Germany Tel. ++49 471 4831-1376, Fax ++49 471 4831-1389 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Half time in the International Polar Year 2007/08 Scientists in Germany present the most important results of polar and climate research at the 23rd International Polar Meeting in Munster from March 10 14, 2008 Press conference on March 10 at 01:00 p.m. A record minimum of Arctic sea ice, new species in the Antarctic deep sea and unexpected insights into past climate these are only some of the re...

A helicopter crash in Antarctica has claimed the lives of two people and injured three. Those of us involved in the International Polar Year express our deep sadness at the news. We hope for a speedy return to full health for those injured, and we remember with admiration and appreciation the skill and dedication of our partners. AWI press release (German) NIOZ press release (Dutch) ...

MEDIA ADVISORY: MARCH 12TH: IPY DAY FOCUSSING ON CHANGING EARTH download: English Espanol Spanish Francais French ??????? Russian March 3rd, 2008 On March 12th, 2008, the International Polar Year (IPY) will launch its third 'International Polar Day', focusing on our Changing Earth; with a specific focus on Earth history as discovered through paleoclimate records ...

PRESS RELEASE Alfred-Wegener-Institut for Polar- und Meeresforschung in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Institute for Polar and Marine Research Stratospheric ozone chemistry plays an important role for atmospheric airflow patterns Still too much uncertainty in today's climate models Interactions between the stratospheric ozone chemistry and atmospheric air flow lead to significant changes of airflow patterns from the ground up to the stratosphere. This is the result of climate simulations, which have just been published in the journal "Geophysical Research Letters" (Brand et al, Geophys. Res. Lett.). Scientists at the Research Unit Potsdam of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, which is a member of th...

Submitted February 25: A Wirral, UK, school student is about to set out on the trip of a lifetime to the Canadian High Arctic, as part of an International Polar Year science programme. Emma Brown, a sixth-former at West Kirby Grammar School, will be joining a two-week international scientific expedition, which includes a week on board Canada's state-of-the-art research icebreaker, the CCGS Amundsen. Emma won the chance to represent the UK on the expedition when she entered a competition run by the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool. Her presentation on climate change in the Arctic and her enthusiasm in wanting to help communicate the issues greatly impressed the panel of judges. Emma said, 'I'm so excited about...

Dear friends, The next International Polar Day, focussing on our Changing Earth, is in two weeks. We have prepared a number of webpages, resources, and links to relevant IPY science. These can all be accessed from the link on IPY.org (top right), or directly at http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/earth/ There are also three aspects of particular interest that I hope you can inform your networks about: 1. EDUCATIONAL FLYERS Flyers can be downloaded from the educators page at ...

Dear friends, The next International Polar Day, focussing on our Changing Earth, is in two weeks. We have prepared a number of webpages, resources, and links to relevant IPY science. These can all be accessed from the link on IPY.org (top right), or directly at http://www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/earth/ There are also three aspects of particular interest that I hope you can inform your networks about: 1. EDUCATIONAL FLYERS Flyers can be downloaded from the educators page at ...