Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Revealing the economic and social value of polar regions.  (Polar value)

Outline
People throughout the world care about and value polar regions. However, the extent of these values has not yet been documented. This research proposes to utilise a range of innovative environmental economic and social science techniques to capture the global scale of the economic and social values associated with polar regions. Environmental economists consider ‘total economic value’ as comprising both ‘use’ and ‘passive-use’ values. Use values relate to the level of utility (i.e. the monetary value) that people derive from actual use of polar regions. Techniques, such as ‘travel cost’ models, may be utilized to derive demand functions for e.g. polar tourists, which in turn can be used to estimate use values. People may also derive utility from polar regions without actually visiting them. These values collectively are referred to as passive-use values, and may be defined as follows. 'Option values' relate to the utility that a person derives from the knowledge that s/he has the option to a visit a polar region in the future, even although s/he currently has no intention to do so. ‘Bequest values' are the values that people derive from knowing that polar regions will be protected for future generations. Finally, 'existence values' are the values that people have from knowing that polar regions simply exist. Passive-use values can be established using stated preference methods (such as contingent valuation or choice experiments), which utilize sophisticated econometric techniques to determine how much people are willing to pay to preserve and protect polar regions. People may also have social values for polar regions. Examples of social values are numerous, but might include values associated with: the ‘knowledge’ gained from analysis of ice cores taken from polar regions; ‘inspiration’ that people attain from books by polar explorers; and ‘ecosystem services’ such as water storage. Generally, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to quantify social values in monetary terms. However, qualitative social science research approaches may be used to help uncover and describe these social values. This proposal therefore aims to reveal and quantify the economic and social values that both the international community and indigenous people derive from polar regions. These values may relate to the current state of polar regions, as well to changes in the physical state of polar regions. Identification and quantification of these various values associated is important since it provide answers to IPY’s ‘Education, outreach and communication strategy’, namely ‘Why are the polar regions and polar research important to all people on Earth?’.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This research would identify and quantify the range of economic and social values that the international and polar communities place on polar regions in its current state (Theme 1), as well as the economic and social consequences of environmental changes in polar regions (Themes 2 and 3). The findings from this research will highlight the unique contributions that polar regions and communities have to global cultural diversity (Theme 6)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Currently, the proposal draws on academics from the UK and Canada. However, it is envisaged that we will seek collaboration from other countries (particularly Scandinavia) to ensure a truly international study.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
It is envisaged survey data for this research will be collected at key polar tourism destinations and access points for both poles. In addition, data will be collected outside the polar regions.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: July/07 – Aug/07      July/08 – Aug/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No major logistical support / facilities will be required for this project.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No. No physical infrastructure will be required for this project

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

How will the project be organised and managed?
Overall project management will be undertaken by Dr Christie, who has over 10 years experience managing economics and social science research projects. Individual research packages will be developed by the respective academic experts, but fieldwork will be coordinated to strategically target specific polar regions. An advisory panel comprising team members with experience of working in polar regions will be set up to help plan and coordinate activities within polar regions. Members of the research team have worked together in the past.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project specifically addresses the question of ‘Why are polar regions and research important to all people on Earth?’. The research results will be disseminated at various conferences and publications.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding has not yet been secured for this project, however, it is anticipated that funding will be attained through national and international agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Mike Christie
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Institute of Rural Sciences
University of Wales Aberystwyth
SY23 3AL
UK

Tel: 01970 622217
Mobile:
Fax: 01970 611264
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information