The history and significance of International Polar Year

Fifty years has passed since the world's researchers collaborated on an initiative of this type.  International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958 led to the creation of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the adoption of the Antarctic Treaty. The first international polar year took place in 1882-1883, and the second international polar year was held during the depression in 1932-1933. The previous polar years produced important data sets that have been analysed and used many decades after they were first compiled, thus contributing to the advancement of polar research.

The first polar year in 1882-1882 involved 12 nations, whereas 40 nations participated in the second polar year in 1932-1933. During International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958, 67 nations participated with 60,000 researchers and technicians. Norway participated in all three polar years and established new research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic.

During International Polar Year 2007-2008, plans call for an intensive, cross-disciplinary measurement initiative that will compile data sets to improve climate models and weather forecasting, including ocean currents and coupling between low and high latitudes. International space organisations will participate by providing new measurements taken by satellites in polar orbit and connected to ground data. International Geophysical Year showed that a joint knowledge base also lays the foundation for better international cooperation. Perhaps the most important goal is to leave a legacy of improved cooperation on the management of Arctic resources.

In contrast to past years, the current International Polar Year will address the human dimension. A wider variety of research questions and fields will be included, with special focus on the living conditions of the indigenous people living in the polar regions. Nonetheless, the research questions will still relate to the global consequences of climate change at the poles.

Previous international polar years have involved more than research. In particular, International Geophysical Year was a global event with extensive outreach activity that generated greater interest in polar research in particular and in the polar regions in general. Spectacular projects that received enormous media attention were conducted, including the historic launch of Sputnik, an event that was commemorated with the issuance of special stamps and coins - in Norway as well as other countries.

International Polar Year 2007-2008 also has high ambitions for conducting groundbreaking research and attracting worldwide attention. The participating countries have made a special effort to profile their own contributions and highlight their relevance through active participation by political leaders and heads of state.

Many countries also have plans to issue commemorative coins and stamps. Books, TV series, major film projects and travelling exhibitions will bring information about polar research to the general public. International Polar Year has also allocated resources to its own programmes for outreach and education.

In the Scandinavian countries, the three heirs to the throne are patrons of International Polar Year in their respective countries, which indicates the profound importance of this programme.

Read more about previous international polar years at http://www.ipy.org/