Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Transferring Technologies and Expertise to Arctic Indigenous Peoples  (HEI2)

Outline
The Arctic is recognized as the world’s climate change barometer and human-induced climate changes are having an increasing and detrimental impact not only on ice cover and erosion, but also on indigenous peoples such as the Inuit. Climate change in the Arctic is not simply an environmental issue with unwelcome global-reaching consequences, it is also an issue which directly affects the livelihood, culture and survival of indigenous people.A Plenary Session on this topic was held during the 55th International Astronautical Congress in Vancouver in October 2004 to consider not only the problems facing the Inuit, but also an assessment of global changes in the Arctic and the ways that satellites and space activities are being used to monitor and assist. Speakers at the Plenary, organized by Dr David Raitt of the European Space Agency, were Dr Robert Correll, Chair of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, Dr Nancy Maynard, Associate Director for Environment and Health, NASA and Ms Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. The Plenary Session in Vancouver was seen as an excellent way of bringing together the space and polar communities in advance of IPY 2007-2008. This IPY is not only 50 years after the previous IGY/IPY, but it also takes place at the time of the 50th anniversary of Sputnik. Thus given the interest shown in the Vancouver Plenary, it is intended to organize a special symposium or session at the 2007 IAC in Delhi, India (thus as an IPY activity) to show how space activities and technologies are contributing to polar science and research, particularly as it relates to indigenous cultures and, equally, how their traditional knowledge could be usefully integrated. This idea has been tentatively proposed to the International Astronautics Federation and the International Academy of Astronautics - organizers of the IAC - and it has piqued their interest as bringing a new and broader perspective to the IAC. Indeed, as a result of the Plenary at the IAC in Vancouver, the IAA has suggested that a study group be formed within the space community on the impact of climate change on indigenous peoples. The idea of the space/polar community interaction is also strongly supported by the Vancouver plenary session participants who are important players in the Arctic region. It is anticipated that activities leading up to this joint space-polar session at the 58th IAC in India would include a refocusing of ESA’s Harsh Environment Initiative with the Canadian Space Agency which transferred space technologies to the mining, oil and gas sectors. The new initiative would specifically aim to transfer technologies to indigenous communities in polar regions to benefit and enhance their daily lives – in particular by utilizing their traditional knowledge. Besides ESA and CSA, it is also anticipated that other agencies such as the Canadian Polar Commission, Inuit Circumpolar Conference and NASA as well as agencies in Scandinavia would also participate in view of their interest in this topic and the belief that space technologies and systems may help provide solutions to problems faced by indigenous peoples, and equally, that indigenous knowledge might play a useful role in supplementing satellite-based observation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
It is expected that the technology transfer and commercialization offices of various space agencies would work together with polar indigenous communities to create not only an awareness, but also actual applications which meet their needs and requirements and utilize their traditional knowledge. While such activities would form part of the normal technology transfer programmes, the reality of IPY 2007-2008 gives a new impetus and deadline to work towards. The progress of such spin-off activities would be presented at the special space-polar symposium/session at the IAC in 2007, together with presentations of the results of other IPY activities. This would be the first time that those involved with Arctic/Antarctic science and R&D would interact with those involved in space activities in a major international space congress.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The ESA Technology Transfer & Promotion Office would aim to establish collaborative projects to transfer space technologies to indigenous communities in Canada and Scandinavia. By so doing it would involve other agencies in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the USA and possibly Russia. The symposium/session at the IAC in 2007 would include both space and polar speakers from different countries.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Arctic communities in northern Canada and northern Scandinavia

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
None really from the list. However, space technologies could be used in support of other projects (eg the building of accommodation in Antarctica and new ice breakers etc).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The transfer of technologies to indigenous communities could provide them with lasting benefits and improvements. Equally, their traditional knowledge could form a continuous input to the operation of space systems. A joint symposium or session within the IAC in 2007 would set a useful precedent for other such activities at both the IAC and other major conferences.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

It is anticipated that the technology transfer programme aimed at indigenous peoples would be carried out, with funding, by ESA and CSA with possible support from NASA and the Canadian Polar Commission.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposal for technology transfer to polar indigenous communities is currently being considered within ESA and CSA and has been forwarded to NASA and CPC.The proposal re organizing a symposium/session at the 58th IAC has been broached with the IAA and IAF.

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?


is polar indigenous peoples initiative would be a new element within ESA’s already established Technology Transfer Programme.The organization of the symposium/session at 58th IAC would be a new proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
If accepted by the requisite ESA/CSA funding managers then the initiative would run in the same manner as ESA TTP’s Harsh Environment Initiative – with a project manager being appointed. The symposium/session within the IAC in 2007 would be organized by ESA TTP in conjunction with others.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A special Web page would be created on the ESA portal and updated. The normal TTP publicity machine would be in operation. Announcements and calls for papers would also be made by the IAA/IAF regarding the symposium/session at 58th IAC.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Not really relevant in this context.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding would come from ESA, CSA, NASA and others.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The main thrust of this proposal is the organization of a symposium or session at the 58th IAC in India which would provide a forum, within the broad space community itself, to bring together both space and polar experts to present and discuss the outcome of IPY activities.The proposed technology transfer initiative to polar indigenous peoples has been stimulated by IPY and ACIA.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr David Raitt
Senior Technology Transfer Officer
European Space Agency - ESTEC
PO Box 299
2200 AG Noordwijk
Netherlands

Tel: 31-71-5653017
Mobile: no
Fax: 31-71-5656635
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation