Sea Ice...how is it changing? Compollation of research by EU

The EU's science framework includes a significant amount of emphasis on better understanding climate change. A Dec '05 meeting lead to the production of a book (PDF) on sea ice research, pulling together much of the science available on changes in the Arctic region.

The wide-ranging papers in the book cover the methods used to measure ice thickness, on scales from basinwide down to local; the results obtained; the modelling of ice thickness;and the implications for Man’s activities. Palaeoclimatic studies are also described, which reveal periods during the past 100,000 years when the Arctic Ocean has been ice-free, a challenge to our understanding of Earth system processes. Since the disappearance of the Arctic sea ice is literally the most visible aspect of global warming in action – we can see the change in the face of the planet from space - it is appropriate that the European Commission should take the initiative in seeking to understand this phenomenon.

Peter Wadhams (University of Cambridge)

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International Polar Year

International Polar Year is on the way, starting March 1st. This is leading to a great deal of science and outreach. Hopefully we will be hearing of this in the news throughout the year. For an overview of some of the projects being carried out, check out this report.

"It's official: The International Polar Year 2007-2008 officially launches at 10.00 UTC March 1 2007, with an international press conference at the Palais de la Découverte -- a famous science museum in central Paris. More than a dozen countries are also planning national launch events on or around March 1 and an international IPY group is working hard to stimulate activities in schools and science centres around the world."

Also, i have added the RSS feed to the side of my blog, it will remain for the whole year so you can check out the latest news.

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