This week, our friend and WAP Ambassador Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX , did participate at the International Polar Conference in Rauris, Austria.
(See: https://polarforschung.de/events/29-intl-polartagung-rauris-2024/?lang=en)
Many interesting science topics are presented here -said Volker- which informed us that at the conference, the announcement of the date of next 5th International Polar Year that after the edition of 1882, 1932, 1958, 2008 will take place on 2032-2033. Currently, respective preparations are going on. (See: https://iasc.info/cooperations/international-polar-year-2032-33)
Why an International Polar Year in 2032–33?
This is a critical decade for people and the planet. Extreme weather, rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and devastating events such as droughts, floods, wildfires, marine warming, ocean acidification, and record lows in sea ice extent are becoming ever more prevalent, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human wellbeing around the world. Many changes are taking shape faster than previously predicted, and as the IPCC 6th Assessment Report made clear, many of the most serious consequences are linked to unprecedented changes in the Arctic and Antarctic. The urgency of understanding the consequences of such rapid change in the polar regions for global climate, biodiversity and human societies is now clear and has never been greater. A 5th International Polar Year (IPY) will provide a vital opportunity to close outstanding major knowledge gaps through targeted attention and globally-coordinated action enabling polar researchers, knowledge holders, rights holders and stakeholders to achieve major breakthroughs in the knowledge required to protect the global environment, develop effective national and local strategies to mitigate and adapt to environmental changes, and accelerate progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) are pleased to confirm that preparatory work has started for a 5th International Polar Year (IPY) in 2032-33. Organizing the 5th IPY 25 years after the last IPY in 2007-08 reflects the urgent need for coordinated international research to tackle the biggest challenges of polar research, for both the Polar Regions themselves and for the world as a whole.
TNX Volker, DL8JDX