The Polar Regions are an integral and rapidly changing part of the Earth system. Humankind’s future environment, well-being and sustainable development require that we comprehensively understand and observe polar systems and processes and the changes that are already taking place. The message of IPY is loud and clear: what happens in the Polar Regions affects the rest of the world and concerns us all.
The International Polar Year 2007–2008 (IPY) was an intensive, internationally coordinated scientific research campaign in the Arctic and the Antarctic sponsored by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In two action-packed years, IPY researchers observed exciting new phenomena, made fundamental scientific discoveries, developed new methods and tools, advanced interdisciplinary and international links in polar science and, most importantly, gained new understanding of the role of the Polar Regions in the total Earth system.
IPY 2007–2008 took place during a time when our planet was changing faster than ever in recorded human history, especially in the Polar Regions. Polar changes are critical because of various feedbacks involving the ocean, the cryosphere and/or the biosphere, each of which has the potential to accelerate the rates of global changes. The need for polar research has never been greater.
The IPY Oslo Science Conference will emphasize the breadth and global impact of polar research during IPY. It will highlight the extraordinary interdisciplinary and multinational efforts in research and in communication of research to the public. Participants will present early scientific results from all the IPY themes, particularly in the urgent areas of:
1. Linkages between polar regions and global systems
2. Past, present and future changes in polar regions
3. Polar ecosystems and biodiversity
4. Health and well-being of northern people and communities
5. New frontiers and new directions in polar research
6. Polar science education, outreach and communication
The event will also chart future directions for polar science and observations. The International Polar Year 2007–2008 (IPY) attracted more than 50,000 participants from 60 countries covering a wide variety of disciplines and activities. Visionary data managers, science educators, members of northern communities, young polar scientists, exhibition designers and filmmakers – all these partners in IPY’s success will join the Oslo Science Conference.