Innovation Anthology #15: Assistant Professor, Chemistry
It’s fifty years since the previous International Polar Year. The latest one got its official launch on March 1st, 2007 and it will run through until March 1st of 2009.
Although that may seem confusing, two calendar years are needed because the seasons are offset between the North and South Poles. And during IPY, scientists want to conduct full seasons of research.
Scientists from over a hundred nations are participating in this concentrated effort at the poles.
And according to Dr. David Hik, Executive Director of the Canadian Secretariat for IPY, a surprising number of countries have ice breakers for research purposes, including Italy, China and South Korea.
DR. DAVID HIK: They’re interested in climate change just like we are. All coastal states will be affected by sea level rise. They’re also interested in natural resources. So gas hydrates, the sort of energy sources of the future is something they’re very interested in. And I think there’s geopolitical reasons why they’re interested in the poles.
Dr. David Hik also holds a Canada Research Chair in Northern Ecology at the University of Alberta.
He looks to International Polar Year as an opportunity for collaboration among researchers from many disciplines – the physical, biological and social sciences.
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY,
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
Guest
Michael Gerken, PhD,
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada,
Sponsor
Program Date: 2007-03-06