International Polar Year 2007–2008 - WMO

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Box 2 Proposal to Establish an ICSU Planning Group for an International Polar Year 2007/8
Background
The year 2007 will mark the 125th anniversary of the First
International Polar Year (1882/3), the 75th anniversary of
the Second Polar Year (1932/3) and the 50th anniversary of
the International Geophysical Year (1957/8). The IPYs and
IGY were major initiatives, which resulted in significant new
insights into global processes, and laid the foundation for
decades of invaluable polar research.
The Poles are one of the remaining unexplored frontiers on
Earth, from unknown mountain ranges to remote and unique
ecosystems. The Poles also continue to be considered major
players in the global climate system whose role we do not
understand well. An initiative in 2007 celebrating the historic
events and recognizing the importance of polar science
has the potential to act as a springboard for further major
advances in polar science. A New International Polar Year
has the potential to galvanize an intense program of new and
exciting observations and research, to attract and develop the
next generation of polar scientists, and to engage the public in
perceiving and supporting the benefits and challenges inherent
in polar exploration and Earth System science.
The Need for an ICSU IPY Planning Group
Polar science communities, organizations and institutes
worldwide are alert to the opportunity and are already
discussing how the anniversary might best be used to advance
polar science. Ideas for major scientific activities are being
formulated and support from the science community is being
sought. The level of interest and activity is growing rapidly.
Nevertheless, efforts are uncoordinated, with inevitable
overlap and duplication, and even differing and divergent
views on the fundamental objectives of an IPY.
Organizations such as the U.S. Polar Research Board and the
European Polar Board have recognised the need to facilitate
progress, to seek order, and to develop an internationally
agreed strategy, framework and plan. The U.S.-PRB has
already held one planning meeting and produced a valuable
initial report.
Nevertheless, with powerful players such as national
environmental research funding agencies, space agencies,
major institutes and even government departments taking an
active interest worldwide, the authority and influence of U.S.-
PRB, EPB or even the international scientific bodies such as
IASC and SCAR are unlikely to be sufficient to achieve the
necessary degree of coordination and agreement.
Consequently, there is a strong case for ICSU to establish a
Standing Committee for an IPY 2007/8.
IPY 20 07–20 08
The purpose would be to provide an authoritative means of
developing, guiding and overseeing an agreed international
program of science and related initiatives. The justification lies
in ICSU’s established role as the world’s leading arbiter and
coordinator of international scientific research, as well as its
historic role in the development and coordination of the IGY.
The Proposed Way Forward
Since four-and-a-half years is already a rather short time to
address such a challenge, it is proposed that ICSU establish an
IPY Planning Group (IPY-PG) as a matter of urgency.
The role of the IPY-PG should be to formulate a concept for
an IPY 2007/8 and to design the means of ICSU leading such
a programme.
Suggested Terms of Reference are:
(i) To gather, summarize and make widely available
information on existing ideas for an IPY serving as a
clearinghouse for ideas,
(ii) To stimulate, encourage and organize debate amongst
a wide range of interested parties on the objectives and
possible content of an IPY,
(iii) To formulate a set of objectives for an IPY,
(iv) To develop an initial high level Science Plan for an
IPY which engages younger scientists throughout the
planning process.
(v) To develop a specific set of objects targeted at formal and
informal education as well as the general public in the
next IPY,
(vi) To develop a proposed mechanism for the design,
development, guidance, and oversight of an IPY,
(vii) To propose to the ICSU 28th General Assembly in 2004
the formation of an IPY 2007/8 Standing Committee,
with a view to carrying forward the detailed design,
development, guidance, and oversight of an IPY in
2007/8.
Chris Rapley, European Polar Board
Robin E. Bell, Chair, U.S. National Academies Polar Research
Board
6th February 2003