Arctic shipping guidelines: towards a legal regime for navigation safety and environmental protection?

Polar Record ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Jensen
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
Legal Issue ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Arctic Ice ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Near Future

ABSTRACTWith the International Polar Year (IPY) having commenced in March 2007, key issues relating to the polar regions are again in focus. This article reviews one central legal issue re-emerging in the Arctic: global regulation of safety standards for international shipping. The ‘Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters’ are examined, with a view to the probable expansion of shipping in the Arctic in near future. Following an introduction to navigational issues within the Arctic context, the article describes how the guidelines came into being, and then analyses key elements and structure of the regulations and shortfalls of today's arrangements. The possible relevance of the guidelines to the Antarctic is also discussed briefly. Finally, the article inquires into the key repercussions of introducing binding regulations.

International organisations for polar exploration

Polar Record ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 5 (37-38) ◽  
pp. 332-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Work ◽  
Field Work ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Work Done ◽  
The Antarctic

An Austrian polar explorer, Karl Weyprecht, was the first to advance a definite scheme for investigating the polar regions on an international level. Weyprecht's idea was that each interested government should establish one or more stations in the polar regions, and that scientific work should be done simultaneously at all stations according to a previously co-ordinated plan. Weyprecht's plan was discussed by an international conference which met at Hamburg in 1879. The delegates at this conference formed themselves into a permanent International Polar Commission whose task was to make further and more detailed plans. In 1880 a Second International Polar Conference met at Berne, and a Third met at St Petersburg in 1881. As a result of the work done by these conferences the First International Polar Year was organised in 1882–83. Eleven countries—Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and U.S.A.—set up and manned for a year twelve stations in the Arctic and two in the Antarctic. The field work completed, the Fourth* and Fifth5 International Polar Conferences met in Vienna in 1884 and Munich in 1891, and arranged publication of the scientific results, which filled 27 volumes. At the Fifth Conference the International Polar Commission was dissolved, its work being completed.

Polar Educators International: A network of scientists and teachers that brings polar research into classrooms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Lehmann ◽  
Inga Beck ◽  
Julia Dooley ◽  
Maria Pia Casarini ◽  
Neelu Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Material ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Mountain Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Web Presence ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
International Polar ◽  
The Antarctic

<p>Polar Educators International (PEI) is an outcome of the 4<sup>th</sup> International Polar Year. During this period (2001 – 2009) educators firstly were highly involved in a scientific initiative and a first bridge between scientists and educators was built. Since then PEI grew rapidly and nowadays has almost 200 members coming from all over the world.</p><p>The mission of PEI is to highlight and share the global relevance of the Polar Regions with the broader community. Therefore a vital network of educators and researchers are strongly cooperating together with relevant polar organizations such as IASC or SCAR. Thus PEI is able to provide up-to-date educational material for schools, workshop for teachers and many more. PEI Educators are bridging the gap between the scientists and community at large.</p><p>All information is available on a robust, flexible, and useful web presence.</p><p>PEI is a network that is open to everybody interested in outreach and education with a special focus on the Arctic, the Antarctic and Mountain Regions.</p><p>PEI is a common network where educators, scientists and general public can easily access the educative material especially focus on the Arctic, Antarctic and mountainous regions.  </p>

Some reflections on the Antarctic Treaty

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.W.G. Baker
Keyword(s):  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Major Increase ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical ◽  
Made In

2009 brings not only the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty but also the end of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and of its extension into the period of International Geophysical Cooperation (IGC 1959). It is also the 133rd anniversary of K. Weyprecht's suggestion that initiated the impetus. As he noted, ‘if Polar Expeditions are looked upon merely as a sort of international steeple-chase . . . and their main object is to exceed by a few miles the latitude reached by a predecessor these mysteries (of Meteorology and Geomagnetism) will remain unsolved’ (Weyprecht 1875). Although he stressed the importance of observations in both the Arctic and Antarctic during the first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1882–1883 only two stations in the sub-Antarctic region, at Cap Horn and South Georgia, made such scientific recordings. In spite of the fact that several expeditions to the Antarctic had been made in the period between the first and the second IPY 1932–1933, no stations were created in Antarctica during that IPY. The major increase in scientific studies in Antarctica came with the third IPY, which became the IGY of 1957–1958.

The International Geophysical Year

1957 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Spencer Jones
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
Primary Object ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Meteorological Observations ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Arctic Region

In 1874, the Austrian arctic scientist, Weyprecht, on his return from an Austro-Hungarian polar expedition stated that, though many countries had sent expeditions into the polar regions at great expense and involving appreciable hazards to those participating, no important contributions to knowledge had resulted from them. They had done a certain amount of mapping and obtained a few meteorological observations but the primary object had been, as a matter of national prestige, to plant the flag nearer to the Pole than had been reached before. In his opinion what was needed for the advancement of knowledge about the polar regions was that nations should collaborate in sending expeditions to various parts of the arctic region to make observations throughout the whole of one year. Largely because of his persistent advocacy of this view, the value of the proposal came to be recognized, and as a result the enterprise known as the First International Polar Year was developed. A number of countries combined to send expeditions to establish observing stations at selected points in the arctic region to make observations throughout the year 1882–3 in meteorology and geomagnetism and also of the aurora. The observations made during this Polar Year contributed appreciably to knowledge of geomagnetism and of meteorology.

scholarly journals Polar Stratospheric Cloud Observations in the 2006/07 Arctic Winter by Using an Improved Micropulse Lidar

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2136-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Cordoba-Jabonero ◽  
Manuel Gil ◽  
Margarita Yela ◽  
Marion Maturilli ◽  
Roland Neuber
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Cloud ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Lidar Observations ◽  
Type Classification

Abstract The potential of a new improved version of micropulse lidar (MPL-4) on polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) detection is evaluated in the Arctic over Ny-Ålesund (79°N, 12°E), Norway. The campaign took place from January to February 2007 in the frame of the International Polar Year (IPY) activities. Collocated Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) Koldewey Aerosol Raman Lidar (KARL) devoted to long-term Arctic PSC monitoring is used for validation purposes. PSC detection is based on lidar retrievals of both backscattering ratio R and volume depolarization ratio δV. Two episodes were unequivocally attributed to PSCs: 21–22 January and 5–6 February 2007, showing a good correlation between MPL-4 and KARL backscattering ratio datasets (mean correlation coefficient = 0.92 ± 0.03). PSC layered structures were characterized for four observational periods coincident with KARL measurements. Also, PSC type classification was determined depending on the retrieved R and δV values as compared with those obtained by KARL long-term Arctic PSC measurements. Tropospheric cloud cover from lidar observations and both ECMWF potential vorticity and temperature at 475 K, in addition to temperature profiles from AWI daily radiosoundings, are also reported. Height-resolved and temporal evolution of both PSC episodes obtained from MPL-4 measurements clearly show that MPL-4 is a suitable instrument to provide long-term PSC statistic monitoring in polar regions. These results are the first reported on PSC detection in the Arctic by using a low-energy and highly pulsed lidar operating on autonomous and full-time continuous mode MPL-4.

scholarly journals International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere: An International Polar Year Legacy Consortium

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taneil Uttal ◽  
Sandra Starkweather ◽  
James R. Drummond ◽  
Timo Vihma ◽  
Alexander P. Makshtas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Network Measurements ◽  
International Polar ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Arctic Atmosphere

Abstract International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) activities and partnerships were initiated as a part of the 2007–09 International Polar Year (IPY) and are expected to continue for many decades as a legacy program. The IASOA focus is on coordinating intensive measurements of the Arctic atmosphere collected in the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Finland, and Greenland to create synthesis science that leads to an understanding of why and not just how the Arctic atmosphere is evolving. The IASOA premise is that there are limitations with Arctic modeling and satellite observations that can only be addressed with boots-on-the-ground, in situ observations and that the potential of combining individual station and network measurements into an integrated observing system is tremendous. The IASOA vision is that by further integrating with other network observing programs focusing on hydrology, glaciology, oceanography, terrestrial, and biological systems it will be possible to understand the mechanisms of the entire Arctic system, perhaps well enough for humans to mitigate undesirable variations and adapt to inevitable change.

scholarly journals Evolution in the cold

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Antarctic Fish ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Adaptive Radiations ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Theodosius Dobzhansky once remarked that nothing in biology makes sense other than in the light of evolution, thereby emphasising the central role of evolutionary studies in providing the theoretical context for all of biology. It is perhaps surprising then that evolutionary biology has played such a small role to date in Antarctic science. This is particularly so when it is recognised that the polar regions provide us with an unrivalled laboratory within which to undertake evolutionary studies. The Antarctic exhibits one of the classic examples of a resistance adaptation (antifreeze peptides and glycopeptides, first described from Antarctic fish), and provides textbook examples of adaptive radiations (for example amphipod crustaceans and notothenioid fish). The land is still largely in the grip of major glaciation, and the once rich terrestrial floras and faunas of Cenozoic Gondwana are now highly depauperate and confined to relatively small patches of habitat, often extremely isolated from other such patches. Unlike the Arctic, where organisms are returning to newly deglaciated land from refugia on the continental landmasses to the south, recolonization of Antarctica has had to take place by the dispersal of propagules over vast distances. Antarctica thus offers an insight into the evolutionary responses of terrestrial floras and faunas to extreme climatic change unrivalled in the world. The sea forms a strong contrast to the land in that here the impact of climate appears to have been less severe, at least in as much as few elements of the fauna show convincing signs of having been completely eradicated.

scholarly journals BRICS in polar regions: Brazil’s interests and prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-340
Author(s):  
Paulo Borba Casella ◽  
◽  
Maria Lagutina ◽  
Arthur Roberto Capella Giannattasio ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legal Regulation ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Public Power ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
International Power ◽  
Global Affairs ◽  
The Antarctic

The current international legal regulation of the Arctic and Antarctica was organized during the second half of the XX century to establish an international public power over the two regions, the Arctic Council (AC) and the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), which is characterized by Euro-American dominance. However, the rise of emerging countries at the beginning of the XXI century suggests a progressive redefinition of the structural balance of international power in favor of states not traditionally perceived as European and Western. This article examines the role of Brazil within the AC and the ATS to address various polar issues, even institutional ones. As a responsible country in the area of cooperation in science and technology in the oceans and polar regions in BRICS, Brazil appeals to its rich experience in Antarctica and declares its interest in joining the Arctic cooperation. For Brazil, participation in polar cooperation is a way to increase its role in global affairs and BRICS as a negotiating platform. It is seen in this context as a promising tool to achieve this goal. This article highlights new paths in the research agenda concerning interests and prospects of Brazilian agency in the polar regions.

scholarly journals Education and outreach by the Antarctic Treaty Parties, Observers and Experts under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings

Polar Record ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
José C. Xavier ◽  
Dragomir Mateev ◽  
Linda Capper ◽  
Annick Wilmotte ◽  
David W. H. Walton
Keyword(s):  
International Union ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Education And Outreach ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe development of formal discourse about education and outreach within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM), and the influence of major international activities in this field, are described. This study reflects on the ATCM Parties’ approach to implementing the ambition of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Article 6.1.a, to promote the educational value of Antarctica and its environment, and examines the role of workshops and expert groups within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes. These early initiatives, which emerged in the 1990s, were a prelude to the development and implementation of a large number of International Polar Year (IPY) education and outreach programmes. The establishment of an Antarctic Treaty System Intersessional Contact Group, and an online forum on education and outreach during the 2015 ATCM in Bulgaria, is a legacy of IPY and is the next step in fostering collaboration to engage people around the world in the importance and relevance of Antarctica to our daily lives.

The Polar Regions and the Development of International Law: Contemporary Reflections and Twenty-First Century Challenges

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Rothwell
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
First Century ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Foundational Research ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Global Affairs ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The polar regions are increasingly coming to the forefront of global affairs in ways that are beginning to approach the prominence given to the polar regions during the ‘heroic era’ of exploration at the beginning of the twentieth century. This contemporary focus is, however, very much upon governance and the capacity of the existing and future legal frameworks to govern the Antarctic and Arctic effectively. This article revisits foundational research undertaken in 1992–1993 and reassesses the impact of the polar regions upon the development of international law. Particular attention is given to environmental management, living and nonliving resource management, the regulation and management of maritime areas, and governance mechanisms and frameworks. The article seeks to critically assess whether the existing legal frameworks that operate in Antarctica and the Arctic are capable of dealing with their increasing globalisation, or whether there will be a need for new legal and governance regimes to be developed to address twenty-first century challenges.

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