About 2032, International Polar Year

DESCRIPTION:

As climate change rapidly reshapes Earth's cold regions, scientists worldwide strive to break the political impasse and advocate for urgent environmental action. In November 2023, over 40 scientists from polar countries convened in Paris for a critical international science conference on Earth's poles and glaciers.

Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and representative of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), underscores the visible impacts of warming waters on shrinking glaciers in the Antarctic. "The changes that we see in the Arctic are scary," notes Gerlis Fugmann, Executive Secretary of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), highlighting the drastic effects on Indigenous populations and the environment.

The Polar Summit aims to offer specific, science-informed policy recommendations. Francis expresses frustration over the slow political response to climate change, advocating for comprehensive policies and leadership embracing new technologies and sustainable living.

A recent SCAR report emphasizes the global impacts of Antarctic changes, including extreme weather events and ocean acidification. "There is a huge urgency now to communicate that to policy-makers," Francis asserts.

Looking ahead, the International Polar Year (IPY) in 2032-33 represents a significant opportunity for research and funding to address polar changes. Fugmann, who experienced the previous IPY, highlights the necessity of understanding and responding to these changes.

Francis acknowledges the dual responsibility of scientists as truth-tellers and society's role in adopting sustainable practices. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, initiated the Paris Call for Glaciers and Poles, emphasizing global involvement in addressing the polar crisis.