Rationale

Why International?

• Polar processes extend across national boundaries
• The science challenge exceeds the capabilities of any one nation
• A coordinated approach maximizes outcomes and cost effectiveness
• International collaboration shares benefits and builds relationships

Why Polar?

• Polar regions are active, highly connected components of the planet
• Significant changes are occurring in the polar regions
• Polar regions hold unique information on the past behaviour of the Earth system
• Polar regions having growing economic and geopolitical importance, especially the Arctic
• The harsh conditions and remoteness of the polar regions have hampered scientific inquiry compared to mid- and low-latitudes
• There is a need to re-establish and enhance operational observing systems in the polar regions
• The polar regions offer a unique vantage point for a variety of terrestrial and cosmic phenomena

Why a "Year"?

• An intensive, coordinated burst of effort will accelerate advances in knowledge and understanding
• A defined period polar "snapshot" will provide a crucial benchmark for detecting and understanding change in comparison with past and future data sets
• It provides an opportunity for observations in both polar regions throughout all seasons
• The legacy of enhanced observing systems generated by IPY will provide an improved foundation for ongoing monitoring

Why 2007-2008?

• The anniversaries of past IPY and the IGY set a firm deadline
• There is a pressing need to capture contemporary information on change
• A 3-4 year planning horizon is challenging but feasible
• The timescale allows advances in technology and logistics to be exploited to address new issues and access new areas