Objectives and main theme

Research in the polar regions has long played a central role in our search for answers to some of the most pressing questions in science. These questions involve, for example, the history of the earth, climate development and climate, the functioning of the ecosystems, and living conditions for animals, plants and humans.

A large percentage of the earth's water mass is contained in polar ice. It is therefore important to monitor and estimate the stability of the large ice caps on Greenland and in the Antarctic in order to predict future sea levels. When temperatures in the polar regions increase at a rate double that of the global average and the amount of drift ice decreases by eight per cent every decade, this is a preliminary warning of global change. For this reason, intensified climate research is a main focus of International Polar Year 2007-2008.

The unique species, ecosystem and people of the polar regions will very likely be exposed to enormous stress from the environmental changes that could threaten their very existence. Along with climate change, there is now greater interest in exploiting the resources found in the polar regions, which include petroleum in the north and the living marine resources in both the Arctic and Antarctic. The sustainable use of resources requires in-depth knowledge of how resources, nature and society will be impacted, especially in light of climate change.

responsibility for large areas of the Arctic, and it cooperates with international partners to ensure sound management of the Antarctic. Norway's presence in the polar regions through its research activity and monitoring of the polar regions must be seen in close connection with Norway's protection of its sovereignty and enforcement of its jurisdiction over Norwegian territory.  

Research during International Polar Year will help to shape the framework for policy issues related to environmental protection and climate, the use of natural resources and maritime law. As a nation that makes use of many polar resources, Norway must also be in the forefront of research to ensure that a sufficient knowledge base exists to carry out sustainable management. This is especially true with regard to the ongoing activities in the Barents Sea, but in the past few years Norway has also become one of the most active users of resources in the Antarctic region.

International Polar Year will hopefully leave a legacy of improved cooperation in the Arctic - just as International Geophysical Year did for the Antarctic. Norway holds the chairmanship of the Arctic Council for the two-year period that began in November 2006, which roughly corresponds with International Polar Year. It is also a period when Arctic research will dominate the international project portfolio. Bilateral cooperation between Russia and Norway can reap further rewards in the form of political cooperation, specially targeted at Svalbard and the Barents Sea region. Sweden and Denmark, respectively, will As a nation with long-standing involvement in the polar regions, Norway has based its scientific efforts on a number of social arguments. Norway is the only country with management responsibility in both polar regions. It has direct management

assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council after Norway completes its term. Thus a good framework should be in place for a coordinated Nordic effort during and after International Polar Year. A secretariat for the Arctic Council is now being established in Tromsø.

International Polar Year is part of the Norwegian Government's efforts to follow up its High North strategy. The current Government headed by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has made an official statement identifying the High North as Norway's main strategic area of interest and has called for expanded international research cooperation, especially related to research on the regional consequences of climate change in the Arctic.