Day 214: HAPPY IPY!

The International Polar Year has officially begun!



I must say this feels like quite an exciting day for people involved with Arctic studies. This is the fourth International Polar Year, an event that only occurs once every 50 years. IPY will run from March 2007 until March 2009, allowing scientists to complete two full field seasons in both the Arctic and Antarctic. IPY is meant as a way for scientists (and recently, sociologists and artists) around the world to collaborate amongst themselves and with a variety of governmental, economic, and social organizations to fund and encourage polar studies. This means a huge boost in funding availability and graduate positions for people interested in polar studies.

Today at UNIS classes were cancelled for the official Svalbard launch. The day was filled with seminars on various polar projects and a fantastic community-focused ceremony. I have a lot of photos, but at the moment I have neither the time nor energy to expose them. So! Happy IPY! Support your Polar Researchers!

Because we're all very excited.