Looking out on sea ice covering Hudson Bay, Canada. Snowshoeing in Massachusetts, USA.
Photo: John Main Photo: Nicholas Craig Zwinggi/iStock
the projections of the scientists come true
2
. Ironically, mental Oceanographic Commission of United Nations
the feasibility of recovering petroleum resources from Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The
polar regions has increased because of global warming International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)
and the consequent thaw. of ICSU is also important. The International Polar Year
2007-2008 (IPY) is jointly conducted by WMO and ICSU
Because ice and snow are crucial components of the cli- and represents one of the most ambitious coordinated
mate system, extensive research is conducted on them both science programmes ever attempted. It includes research
in the polar and alpine areas of the world. In addition to and observation in both the Arctic and the Antarctic and
extensive national research programmes, a global project explores the strong links these regions have with the rest
entitled Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) is developed by of the globe. IPY is a truly international endeavour with
the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) of the over 60 countries participating in more than 200 projects
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Interna- covering a wide range of research disciplines, from geo-
tional Council for Science (ICSU) and the Intergovern- physics to ecology to social science and economics.
26 GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR ICE AND SNOW