International Arctic Science Committee

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a

• IASC

External links

1. ^ Berkman, Paul (2014-06-23). "Stability and Peace in the Arctic Ocean through Science Diplomacy". Science & Diplomacy 3 (2). 

References

• Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
• Arctic Council
• Arctic Cooperation and Politics

See also

The IASC Secretariat implements decisions of the Executive Committee and Council, manages IASC finances, conducts outreach activities and maintains international communication. Since 2009, the IASC Secretariat is based in Potsdam (Germany), hosted and financed by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) for Polar and Marine Research and co-financed by the German Science Foundation (DFG).

IASC Secretariat

Council

• framing issues in thematic terms;
• bringing together the physical, biological and social sciences;
• strengthening the dialogue between science and policy;
• addressing the concerns of those who live in the Arctic.

IASC gives priority to interdisciplinary projects relevant to Arctic science issues which require international cooperation. This is archived by

• Arctic coastal biodiversity and coastal dynamics;
• Arctic hydrology;
• human-caribou/reindeer grazing systems;
• environmental data gathering (CEON);
• effects of Arctic environmental contaminants on human health;
• biodiversity in Arctic and alpine ecosystems;
• Arctic glaciology;
• land-ocean interactions in the Russian Arctic;
• Arctic marine transport routes;
• mapping Arctic sediment thickness;
• nutrition and health of indigenous people in Arctic countries; and
• changes in the tundra/taiga boundary.

While maintining an interest in facilitating the effectiveness of arctic science in all fields, IASC selects programmes for direct action. Priority is given to achieving research output within an agreed period of time, e.g.

Research projects

• Arctic Council / Observer / http://www.arctic-council.org
• International Council for Science (including IPCC) / International Associate / http://www.icsu.org
• World Climate Research Programme / Memorandum of Understanding/ http://wcrp.wmo.int
• Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research / Letter of Agreement / http://www.scar.org
• International Permafrost Association / Memorandum of Understanding / http://ipa.arcticportal.org
• Pacific Arctic Group / Letter of Agreement / http://www.pagscience.com
• International Arctic Social Sciences Association / Letter of Agreement / http://www.iassa.gl
• Association of Polar Early Career Scientists / Memorandum of Understanding / http://www.apecs.is
• International Association of Cryospheric Sciences / Letter of Agreement / http://www.cryosphericsciences.org

IASC maintains close links and connections with the following partner organizations:

In 2009, the first Science Symposium was held in Bergen, Norway during the Arctic Science Summit Week. The three day symposium created a platform for exchanging knowledge, cross fertilization and collaboration. Considering the great success of this event, which attracted 300 scientists, students, policy makers and other professionals from over the world, the Science Symposium will take place at the ASSW every other year. The next ASSW with a Science Symposium will take place in March 2011 in Seoul (Republic of Korea).

Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) The ASSW is an initiative of IASC and organized in cooperation with the Pacific Arctic Group (PAG), the International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA), the European Polar Board (EPB) and the Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO). The purpose of the summit is to provide opportunities for coordination, collaboration and cooperation in all areas of arctic science, and to combine science and management meetings to save on travel and time. The ASSW also offers insight into arctic research undertaken by the host country.

• Terrestrial WG • Cryosphere WG • Marine/AOSB WG • Atmosphere WG • Social and Human WG

In this light IASC has established five Working Groups (WG) that will identify scientific priorities and initiate and stimulate cross-disciplinary initiatives. The Working Groups are ‘living’ groups that rise and fall according to the scientific need of the community. The five Working Groups are: [1]