1. International Polar Year 2007-08 Polar Research Board www.nas.edu/prb

2.  Increase understanding of the polar regions and their global links  Communicate the importance of the polar regions to the public  Train the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders What is an IPY? An internationally-coordinated set of research and exploration activities at both Poles that:

3. Arctic Temperature Change: 1961 to 1990 Why an IPY now? Global changes are amplified at the Poles Changes at the Poles are occurring rapidly Polar regions are unique data repositories Development & availability of new technology Larsen Ice Sheet Breakup ODP core

4. IGY Accomplishments Satellites for exploration and remote sensing Thickness of Antarctic ice sheet Plate tectonics Jet stream Ozone layer Global standardization of techniques 3-D studies of atmosphere Seismic & gravimetric transects of Antarctica Van Allen (radiation) belts Ionosphere SPUTNIK EXPLORER 1 Aurora phenomena

5. IGY Societal & Political Achievements 1959 Antarctic Treaty Scientific cooperation despite political stress Mutually beneficial relationship between science and the military FIRST world-wide, coordinated scientific enterprise Established science as a driving force for exploration Importance of governmental sponsorship of science Proliferation of “big science” Established permanent observation stations Promoted cultural awareness

6. Address compelling science issues Attract and develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders Involve multi-national and interdisciplinary interactions Engage the public What will IPY 2007-08 do?

7. US National Committee to the IPY Cecilia Bitz University of Washington John Kelley University of Alaska, Fairbanks Douglas Wiens Washington University at St. Louis Igor Krupnik Smithsonian Institution Louis Lanzerotti Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies Philip Smith McGeary & Smith Patrick Webber (Ex-officio) Michigan State University Mary Albert, Chair Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab Jerry Bowen CBS News Richard Glenn Arctic Slope Regional Corporation George Somero Hopkins Marine Station Cristina Takacs-Vesbach University of New Mexico Chuck Kennicutt (Ex-officio) Texas A&M Terry Wilson (Ex-officio) Ohio State University Robert Bindschadler NASA - GSFC David Bromwich Ohio State University Gunter Weller University of Alaska, Fairbanks Jacqueline Grebmeier University of Tennessee Peter Schlosser Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Chris Elfring, Sheldon Drobot, Kristen Averyt National Academies Polar Research Board Who is organizing the US IPY Effort?

8. Possible Science Themes Biology Space weather Ecology Astronomy Meteorology Oceanography Geology Geophysics Glaciology Remote Sensing Paleo-Studies Geochemistry Engineering Biogeochemistry Exploring New Frontiers Understanding Change at the Poles Polar teleconnections/ Global linkages Anthropology Linguistics Economics Sociology Management Health Sciences Ethnic Studies Art Education Communication Economics Psychology Business

9. IPY Planning Timeline 2003 NAS funds planning U.S. National Committee Organization Draft input Draft report available for community comment U.S. report due to International IPY committee synthesis, writing, revising U.S. report publication coordination & outreach community & agency planning International Polar Year Community Input Committee Action 2004‘05 ‘06 ‘07‘08 input for vision & science

10. How can I be involved? EMAIL: S. Drobot @ sdrobot@nas.edu WEB: http://dels.nas.edu/prb/ipy/ Send your ideas to the committee now! Provide comments on the draft report (available Dec. 10) Work as a community in detailed planning Spread the message and share the excitement!

11. International Polar Year 2007-08 Polar Research Board www.nas.edu/prb Special thanks to The National Academies for funding the U.S. National Committee to the IPY, and to the Polar Research Board for administering this project.