A primary objective of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY) has been to develop better climate models. Early results from IPY research will be published at the conference, with particular emphasis on knowledge about the linkages between climate change in the polar regions and global climate systems. The scientific findings presented at the conference will form a vital component of the knowledge base for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP16) in Mexico in November.
From all over the world
Participants from more than 60 nations are expected to attend the IPY Oslo Science Conference, including an exceptionally high number of early career scientists recruited to polar research via the IPY. In all, 850 junior researchers and science educators have applied for support to participate in the event.
A total of 2,600 abstracts have been received for presentation at the conference ' more than double the number submitted for the previous global conference on polar research.
Largest internationally-coordinated collaboration
The IPY is the largest internationally-coordinated research effort in the past 50 years, for all research fields or thematic areas. The initiative has triggered new investments of more than NOK 2.5 billion in polar research. Norway allocated NOK 330 million, making it one of the major funders.
The conference in Oslo will provide the first opportunity for direct knowledge exchange between all 160 IPY science cluster projects since the completion of field activities.
New understanding
The IPY is an intensive, internationally-coordinated initiative for research on the Arctic and the Antarctic under the auspices of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). During the course of two hectic years, researchers have observed exciting new phenomena, made fundamental scientific discoveries, developed new methodologies and tools, and ' most importantly ' gained a new understanding of the role played by the polar regions in the total Earth system.
