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Summary
I
science. It was championed by ICSU2 and WMO,3
nitiated by a core group of enthusiasts and agen-
which provided key international nongovernmental
cies with knowledge of previous international
and intergovernmental endorsement. An estimated
polar years, and building on existing international
50,000 researchers, local observers, educators, students,
programs and organizational infrastructure, Interna-
and support personnel were involved in the 228 inter-
tional Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY1) grew from the
national IPY projects and numerous related national
ideas and grassroots efforts of polar scientists around
efforts.
the world. The impetus lay in emerging evidence of the
Early indications of the IPY results demonstrate
importance of the polar regions in the global system;
that the functioning of the Earth system cannot be
the timing presented an opportunity both to celebrate
understood without knowledge of the state and dynam-
the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysi-
ics of the polar regions. The focused attention of IPY
cal Year (IGY ) in 1957-1958 and to match or exceed
provided a forum to help people understand that the
the significant and enduring scientific contributions
polar regions matter to all life on Earth. As human-
of the IGY. With its scientific focus on an integrative
ity grapples with the complexities and challenges of
understanding of the polar regions in a time of rapid
changes in the environment and in societies around the
planetary change, IPY was the right initiative at the
world, the lessons and legacies from IPY offer informa-
right time. At a time when the polar regions, and in
tion and inspiration for decision makers and planners
particular the Arctic, are undergoing a transformation
now and in the future.
from an icy wilderness to a new zone for human affairs,
IPY was the largest, most comprehensive campaign
the insights afforded by IPY could not be more timely
ever mounted to explore Earth’s polar domains. Under
or relevant.
its auspices, scientists worked together to unlock the
Like its predecessor initiatives, IPY was designed
secrets of the Arctic and Antarctic: How does life per-
to be an intense, coordinated field campaign of polar
sist in these coldest, darkest corners of the globe? How
observations, research, and analysis. It was planned to
will changes in glaciers, ice sheets, snow cover, and sea
facilitate both individual and national involvement and
ice affect the Earth system? How are traditional ways
to allow scientists and agencies to focus on their priority
issues through national peer review funding processes,
ensuring cutting-edge science. 2 ICSU, the International Council for Science, is a nongovern-
IPY attracted the involvement of more than 60 mental organization with a global membership of national scientific
nations (Krupnik et al., 2011) and brought atten- bodies (121 members, representing 141 countries) and international
scientific unions (30 members).
tion to a broad array of compelling interdisciplinary
3 WMO, the World Meteorological Organization, is a special-
ized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and
1 Throughout this report, International Polar Year 2007-2008 is climate), operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences
referred to as IPY or IPY 2007-2008. with a membership of 189 member states and territories.
1
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2 LESSONS AND LEGACIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007-2008
of life in the North facing the challenges of a chang- • The U.S. scientific community and agencies
should include studies of coupled human-natural
ing planet? What will be discovered when 21st century
systems critical to societal, economic, and strategic
technology examines this unique frontier?
interests in the IPY.
Given the size and scope of IPY, it is important to • The U.S. IPY effort should explore new scientific
ask: Was it a success? What was learned? And what could frontiers from the molecular to the planetary scale.
be done better next time? This report is an attempt to • The International Polar Year should be used as
answer these questions by considering the accomplish- an opportunity to design and implement multidisci-
plinary polar observing networks that will provide a
ments and lessons learned through IPY. Because sci-
long-term perspective.
ence funding for IPY projects in the United States was
• The United States should invest in critical infra-
awarded from 2006 to 2009, all polar science conducted structure (both physical and human) and technology
during this time is recognized under the umbrella of IPY to guarantee that IPY 2007-2008 leaves enduring
in this report on U.S. lessons and legacies. benefits for the nation and for the residents of northern
Evidence to date shows that IPY accomplished its regions.
• The U.S. IPY program should excite and engage
goals. Activities at both poles led to scientific discover-
the public, with the goal of increasing understanding
ies that provided a step change in scientific understand-
of the importance of polar regions in the global system
ing and yielded insights about the importance of the and, at the same time, advance general science literacy
polar regions. IPY facilitated a major expansion of the in the nation.
polar science capabilities of people, tools, and systems; • The U.S. scientific community and agencies
it inspired the engagement of educators, students, polar should participate as leaders in International Polar Year
2007-2008.
residents, and the public at large; and it saw the tran-
sitioning of its scientific knowledge to policy-relevant
information. THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN IPY
People were the engine that powered IPY. The
OBJECTIVES OF IPY
capability, enthusiasm, and experience of the interna-
The International Polar Year of 2007-2008 was tional polar research community grew through partici-
built on a foundation laid by International Polar Years pation in IPY and the community grew more connected
in 1882-1883 and 1932-1933 and the International as participants collaborated on IPY international proj-
Geophysical Year in 1957-1958. In its time, each of ects. Young polar researchers from around the world
these campaigns marked a breakthrough in interna- were drawn to polar science and formed an active peer
tionally coordinated exploration of Earth and space. network that will help empower the next generation
IPY 2007-2008 took place in a different context from of polar scientists. In addition to growing in number,
previous such efforts. The years leading up to it saw the polar research community grew more diverse, in
a mounting recognition of increasing global tem - particular with more women becoming involved and
peratures, rising sea level, and environmental change. taking leadership roles both in planning and in con-
Events such as the breakup of the Larsen B ice shelf ducting field programs.
in Antarctica and the diminishing sea ice and seasonal IPY also drew polar residents, in particular those
opening of the Northwest Passage in the Arctic high- f rom indigenous communities in the Arctic, into
lighted the rapid pace of change at the poles. the research community and spurred partnerships in
To address these and other polar and planetary polar observations and resource management. Arctic
interactions and changes, the following objectives were residents became more aware of the advantages to be
articulated for IPY in the 2004 NRC report A Vision gained by using the outputs of scientific investigations
for International Polar Year (NRC, 2004): to assist in their daily lives, and the research community
enhanced its ability to return meaningful value-added
• The U.S. scientific community and agencies
products to residents. Furthermore, engagement with
should use the IPY to initiate a sustained effort aimed
the inhabitants of the Arctic has led to new capacities
at assessing large-scale environmental change and vari-
for learning about the social processes and health of the
ability in the polar regions.
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3
SUMMARY
people who live in the polar regions.4 IPY showed that of the polar system includes knowledge of glaciology,
their traditional knowledge can enhance understanding a tmospheric sciences, geosciences, space sciences,
of the global processes, and that science and scientists oceanography, biology, ecology, and social sciences.
can provide effective means of achieving international D uring IPY, understanding of the complexity
discourse and penetrating boundaries. and interconnectedness of polar systems grew. The
Beyond the polar research community, why should unanticipated activity of subglacial hydrological sys-
the vast majority of people, who live in warmer areas of tems and their effect on ice sheet flow was revealed.
the planet, care about the polar regions or about IPY? Warm ocean currents were shown to have a greater
The answer lies in a host of global connections and the impact on ice sheet behavior than previously realized.
siting of information about this planet that is unavail- Researchers improved understanding of how reductions
able anywhere else. The polar regions are essential in sea ice and resulting changes in albedo have major
links in the global climate system; they are growing in implications for the amplification of polar warming
economic and geopolitical importance, and they hold and change, with impacts on the weather and climate
unique information about Earth’s climate history that of lower latitudes. The warming and freshening of the
can help scientists understand environmental changes water in the Arctic Basin is increasingly affecting both
in the context of past changes. This understanding can sea ice reduction and basin stratification. For the living
in turn support informed choices for the future of the creatures of the polar oceans, recent work demonstrates
planet and its inhabitants. For these and other reasons, that climate change is having a measurable effect at all
public interest in the poles is high, even as public trust trophic levels, from microorganisms to top predators.
in science has declined. Terrestrial research has shown that warming over the
The critical “what happens at the poles affects us land, the decline of sea ice, and the greening of the
all” message was delivered to a wide audience dur- Arctic are all linked, and this observation of contem-
ing IPY through a broad spectrum of outreach and porary processes is supported by paleoclimate work on
education activities. Professionally produced presenta- terrestrial and marine systems. In the Antarctic there
tions engaged audiences with big-screen videos, vivid emerged evidence during IPY for a previously unknown
images, compelling music, and opportunities for direct link between the springtime ozone hole, stratospheric
interaction with dynamic polar researchers and Arctic cooling, and the increased strength of circulation in the
residents with personal stories to tell. A key element Southern Hemisphere.
was direct involvement of the scientists—while polar Scientific understanding of the connection of the
research is inherently appealing, the enthusiasm and polar regions to the rest of the planet also increased. A
dedication of individual researchers are the best hook community compilation of lake sediment sequences,
for communicating polar research. ice cores, and tree ring records from the Arctic bor-
U.S. outreach activities took place at museums, sci- derlands demonstrated that the natural cooling trend
ence centers, and schools across the country. The polar of the last 2,000 years has been reversed by contempo-
research community reached teachers with new ways rary warming: the last five decades are the warmest on
of communication, and teachers proved receptive to record, showing the influence of the rest of the planet
increased availability of polar science materials. on the Arctic. In recent winters, changing weather
patterns in the eastern United States and Europe have
been influenced by changing conditions in the Arctic.
SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES
In both Antarctica and Greenland the contributions
AND DISCOVERIES
of individual ice sheets to global ocean volume were
The poles are complicated, interlinked systems that refined to more effectively account for the measured
are integrally connected to the rest of the planet. Study rate of sea level rise.
IPY-related research confirmed that the poles are
changing faster than the rest of the planet. This was
4 Unless otherwise indicated, this report focuses particularly on
discovered by Arrhenius and verified 37 years ago by the
Indigenous Alaskan and other Arctic inhabitants. There are no
first climate model of Manabe and Wetherald (1975),
permanent Antarctic residents.
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4 LESSONS AND LEGACIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007-2008
and it emphasizes the importance of monitoring how the also continued to use Antarctica’s unique platform from
poles continue to change. IPY helped to not only illumi- which to peer out into the solar system to observe space
nate the pace of change but also benchmark the status weather, as well as into the cosmos beyond to probe
of the poles. Researchers observed, for example, that the the composition and workings of the universe. Asym-
Greenland ice sheet, parts of the Antarctic ice sheet, and metrical auroras were observed simultaneously for the
Arctic sea ice show clear signs of change unprecedented first time at both poles, altering previous notions of
in the Holocene era, although the situation is complex. processes that influence solar wind and Earth’s mag-
Multiple studies of the ice flux, ice surface elevation, netic field.
and ice mass changes all show clear and coherent sig-
nals of changes in Greenland and West Antarctica. SCIENTIFIC TOOLS AND
Multiple independent satellite data sets show that the INFRASTRUCTURE
ice sheets are losing significant mass at increasing rates
in some locations, while elsewhere—as predicted for a The polar regions have always presented great
warmer and hence moister atmosphere—snowfall has logistical challenges because the terrain is vast, access
increased. Arctic sea ice loss in recent years has been can be complicated and expensive, working conditions
dramatic, with record minima in areal extent for 2007 are difficult, and the areas of interest frequently cross
and in volume for 2011, far exceeding the pace pre- national boundaries. Efforts to adequately observe
dicted by many recent models. interaction among the large-scale systems frequently
There has also been a new realization that the total require international cooperation and significant
belowground carbon pool in Arctic permafrost is more planning.
than double the atmospheric carbon pool and three An important outcome of IPY was the develop-
times larger than the total global forest biomass, pro- ment of new collaborations that enhanced scien -
viding an additional potential positive feedback in the tists’ observational capability in many areas of the
global system with both the release of carbon dioxide poles, including remote areas such as East Antarctica.
and methane from once frozen reservoirs. Paleoclimate Observation networks such as the Sustaining Arctic
data now show that earlier interglacial periods over the Observing Networks (SAON), the integrated Arctic
last 3.5 million years, which were warmer than today, Ocean Observing System (iAOOS), and the Southern
included the repeated collapse of the West Antarctic ice Ocean Observing System (SOOS) developed and/or
sheet and likely included large reductions in the size of expanded during IPY.
the Greenland ice sheet. This finding emphasizes that In addition to these collaborations, IPY saw not
continued warming of the planet will cause contin- only the use of existing tools in new ways and in new
ued ice loss and rising oceans, making coastal regions places, but also first-time deployments of novel tools for
increasingly vulnerable to flooding. observing the polar climate, ecosystems, and beyond.
The poles have long been at the frontier of explora- Increasing use of a system science approach neces-
tion, and they are still places of discovery of the funda- sitated new observing systems to better understand
mentally new. Observation systems have a supporting variability and change, and new tools—including sea
role in discovery science—scientists often learn new gliders, unmanned aerial systems, and animal-borne
things simply by looking. An entire mountain range ocean sensors—allowed for more comprehensive obser-
under the Antarctic ice sheet, the Gambertsev Moun- vations of the poles than ever before. The cost and
tains, discovered during the IGY, was mapped during complexity of these systems often made multiagency
IPY with new, sophisticated radar methods revealing and/or international cooperation necessary, and the use
its surprisingly rugged alpine character. The Landsat of remotely controlled autonomous observing systems
Image Mosaic of Antarctica (LIMA) IPY project pro- became increasingly common.
duced a high-resolution mosaic image with a detailed Satellite systems were a particularly effective exam-
true-color view of Antarctica: penguin rookeries were ple of collaboration among countries and agencies. IPY
mapped almost immediately and revealed new and cannot claim credit for the generation of any new satel-
abandoned sites, indicating substantial changes. IPY lite missions, but it did succeed in an unprecedented set
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5
SUMMARY
of coordinated observations from spaceborne sensors used in Alaska to develop new management strategies
operated by multiple national space agencies. The IPY and balance native versus commercial resource needs
Space Task Group coordination of the Polar Snapshot as marine ecosystems migrate north in search of cooler
was so successful that the group continues to cooper- waters. Arctic residents also depend on knowledge of
ate with national space agencies for the acquisition of sea ice conditions for the success of traditional hunting
observations that will support sustained space-based practices. Through community-based interactions, par-
monitoring of the polar regions and offset decreasing ticipants in the IPY Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook activity
observational capability as many satellite systems age were able to develop and deliver meaningful informa-
and fail. tion to local communities that merged measurements
Observations are of little value if they are not avail- of atmospheric and oceanic conditions with indigenous
able to researchers. But the challenges to availability and local observations.
multiply as data volumes increase and the needs of Research during IPY led to the identification of
interdisciplinary research extend to data of unfamiliar new marine and terrestrial species, habitats, and ranges
form and content. A number of data centers in the and greatly expanded the understanding and aware-
United States stepped up to this challenge, made data ness of polar biodiversity (and invasive species). For
management expertise available to IPY projects, and example, the Southern Ocean Global Ocean Ecosys-
followed through with mechanisms to receive, organize, tems Dynamics (SO GLOBEC) Program, an interna-
store, and make available metadata of all types to assist tional multidisciplinary effort designed to examine the
researchers in locating data relevant to a wide range of growth, reproduction, recruitment, and overwintering
scientific pursuits. survival of Antarctic krill, has yielded key insights into
The U.S. federal agencies that funded most of the the working of the Southern Ocean food web. Bet-
U.S. participation in IPY have specific data archive ter understanding of Antarctic and Arctic ecosystem
requirements stated in their initial grant awards, result- dynamics has in turn spurred new initiatives aimed at
ing in large national data archives. IPY could have been managing human activities in the oceans, with an eye
an opportunity to encourage funding agencies in other toward protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecosys-
countries to adopt similar policies, but this was not an tem functions as these ecosystems undergo profound
avenue pursued by the IPY Joint Committee. transformations due to climate change.
L ooking to the future, IPY-related predictive
modeling will continue to play a crucial role in helping
KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION
commercial enterprises, individuals, and governments
IPY activities sought to convert knowledge gained assess the regional and global risks associated with
t hrough scientific inquiry into societally relevant melting ice, sea level rise, permafrost degradation, and
information. Extensive IPY research, particularly in other effects of high-latitude changes in a warming
human health, community vulnerability, food security, world. Such assessments can help inform a wide variety
and local observations of change, was aimed at practi- of decisions about the management, siting, and sustain-
cal applications to be shared with polar communities, able insurance of coastal property and infrastructure, as
local agencies, and grassroots organizations in Alaska well as community planning and zoning, construction
and across the Arctic. of ice roads, emergency preparedness, disaster response,
As an example of such knowledge application, and long-term planning for moving military, industrial,
the record sea ice minimum in 2007, the first year of and public infrastructure (and in some cases whole vil-
IPY, stimulated concerted efforts to understand its lages) to higher ground.
cause, project plausible future trajectories, and consider
systemwide implications for the coming decades. Sea LESSONS AND LEGACIES
ice conditions have a direct impact on quality of life
in Arctic communities, and the systems perspective IPY embraced existing, enhanced, and new pro-
advanced understanding of impacts on fishing, hunting, grams. To examine the breadth of work in IPY, this
shipping, and coastal erosion. The information is being report is based on the committee’s evaluation of polar
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6 LESSONS AND LEGACIES OF INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007-2008
research reports, published articles, books, formal and did so by exploiting new technical and logistical tools
informal research networks, workshops, and public out- and capabilities.
reach events that resulted during the 2 years of intensive An objective assessment must also take stock
activity at both poles. After reviewing many examples of problems and remaining challenges. To that end
of IPY research, hosting a workshop to talk directly the committee notes that despite valiant attempts by
with IPY researchers, and listening to the polar science the IPY Data Committee and several coordinating
community (e.g., in conversations with colleagues), workshops, the development and accessibility of IPY
this committee concludes that IPY was an outstanding data products were hampered by a shortage of time
success. It fulfilled all its primary objectives and more. and resources. More effective interagency coordina-
Coming at a time of rapid polar and global change, tion within and across nations, particularly in funding
IPY investments were both pertinent and timely, approval and logistics, would have been beneficial, as
enabling the science community to observe and record not all scientific research priorities received adequate
a reference state of the polar system. The international s upport and delays in national funding processes
polar science community, with the United States as a a ffected abilities to coordinate field research and
key player, was sufficiently mature and ready to under- infrastructure sharing. The impact of IPY was very
take and execute this large endeavor. uneven across polar communities; some communities
Comments from participants indicate that IPY was were actively engaged and informed, whereas many
seen as a rare and special opportunity, and intensive more had sporadic or ad hoc access to IPY informa-
bursts of exciting and sometimes high-risk activity tion and resources. Furthermore, the sustained impact
contributed to its success. Deadlines and the need for and momentum of the IPY legacy will require ongoing
international collaboration helped to focus the efforts support from funding agencies for both the observing
and decision making of the science community. The networks and the scientists.
intensive nature of the effort built on and integrated In future years, scientists may look back at this
existing national and international programs, making IPY as they wonder whether there is merit in planning
the “sum greater than the parts.” another International Polar Year. This IPY benefited
IPY was broadly inclusive and collaborative, and from a number of important ingredients that proved
the active participation of polar residents, educators, fundamental to its success:
and young researchers helped further expand its reach.
Ultimately, though, its success was due to the persever- • The involvement of a well-connected and
ance and hard work of a core group of researchers with well-organized group of core proponents promoting
a passion for polar science and the desire to communi- IPY was essential. The early planning group and then
cate the centrality of the high latitudes in affecting the the official planning committee both provided a clear
behavior of the Earth system. vision and compelling science to justify the necessary
IPY leaves a priceless legacy. The polar research investments.
community grew in numbers, skills, and knowledge • A small amount of early seed funding was neces-
during the 2 years. Researchers recognized that the sary to get things going and to add legitimacy in the
required observations of the polar regions are beyond world scientific community; U.S. funds were provided
the capability of any single nation and were thus by the National Academy of Sciences and international
motivated to forge new relationships among many funds by ICSU and WMO.
nations and to engage with Arctic residents as part- • Acceptance was needed from stakeholders—
ners in research. New international partnerships also funding agencies and scientists—without which IPY
supported new tools and observational networks that could not have occurred. Active involvement grew from
increased the ability to detect and document the polar a small core group to a large and diverse range of people
environment. IPY changed perceptions with new scien- over the IPY planning period. For example, dozens of
tific insights, in particular the enhanced recognition of program managers from virtually every part of NSF, not
the connectivity of the poles to the Earth system, and just the Office of Polar Programs, evaluated and funded
proposals for IPY-related research.
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7
SUMMARY
• IPY ultimately needed significant interna - research that would otherwise have taken longer to
tional monetary commitments from funders. Future reach fruition.
I PY activities could benefit from the assertive • Coordination—both within the United States
engagement of funding agencies, as early as possible, and across nations—was essential to establish structures
perhaps through their own international planning and services to support all participants and ensure that
g roup. During this IPY, extensive international they shared a common vision of IPY and understood
commitment, participation, and support provided that they were part of a bigger whole. The International
Programme Office (IPO5) was key in this regard.
the stimulus for new and creative collaborations in
5 The IPO was located in Cambridge, UK, and was supported
by funding from the UK and eight other nations to keep the IPY
network running throughout 2005-2010.
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