Earth Observation for Polar Monitoring A unique view of the environment, the economy, and safety Helge Tangen, Regional Director, met.no Tromso EuroArctic node manager in Polar View

2 Who We Are  An international consortium, 1  Of government, academic, and private sector organizations,  With a mandate to make earth observation more accessible,  To stakeholders interested in the Polar Regions,  Supported by the European Space Agency and the European Commission, with participation by the Canadian Space Agency. 1.Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom

3 Our Clients  Currently, Polar View works with over 30 user groups,  Including government departments, scientific institutions, northern residents, and private sector clients,  To deliver services that address their operational and scientific needs,  For better information that improves decision making and planning.  Many clients contribute to the continuing development of services by participating in trials and defining requirements.

4 Polar Issues  The Polar Regions are having a growing ecological, economic, and political impact on world affairs.  Polar View services contribute to monitoring and analysis of Polar issues regarding:  The Environment –Monitoring polar fresh water cycles –Tracking sources of pollution –Helping to understand and manage animal habitats and populations –Increasing global awareness of climate change impacts and adaptation  Sustainable Economic Development –Helping to manage hydropower generation –Optimizing transportation routes –Assisting in resource exploitation –Maintaining traditional ways of life  Safety –Guiding fishing and hunting expeditions –Providing safe transportation routes –Protecting off-shore drilling operations –Improving flood protection

5 Our Services  Services are offered in the Arctic, Antarctic, and mid- latitude areas with significant snow and ice across Europe, Russia, Canada, and the North Atlantic  Polar View services:  Provide accurate, real-time information  Can be customized to meet users’ needs  Offer cost savings over alternatives  Are provided by an experienced team of experts

6 Our Services  Sea Ice  Icebergs  Ice Edge  Coastal Erosion  Ice Drift Trajectory  River Ice  Lake Ice  Glaciers  Snow Cover  Climate Change Adaptation Indicators

7 Earth Observation  Satellite-borne Earth Observation (EO) systems have been providing imagery for more than two decades  Some sensors can penetrate clouds and ‘see’ in the dark; conditions that are prevalent at the poles  Polar View uses primarily Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors that are excellent for observing snow and ice

8 EO in the Polar Regions  Polar regions have:  Large and remote areas with limited accessibility  Low population densities  Sensitive ecosystems of global importance  Rich non-renewable and renewable resources  Increasing industrial activity  Effective monitoring strategies are vital to understanding conditions, identifying impacts, and guiding responses  EO is often the only cost effective and technically feasible means of obtaining information  EO sensors can supply types of information that are not available from any other source

9 Polar View and GMES  Global Monitoring of Environment and Security (GMES) is a joint initiative of the European Space Agency and the European Commission  GMES is the main European contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOS)  The Earthwatch GMES Service Element (GSE) is a programme within GMES to raise the profile of EO among policy makers and non-traditional users  Polar View is a project under GSE

10 For More Information  General Information:  Web site:  Telephone:   Regional Contacts:  International:  North  Baltic  