Comment Solicitation
Draft White Paper
US National Committee (USNC) to the International Polar Year (IPY)
Comment Submission Deadline: Friday, 2 April 2004
To view the draft, please go to:
http://us-ipy.org/downloads/ipy_white_paper.pdf
Dear Colleagues,
The US National Committee (USNC) to the International Polar Year (IPY)
formed last year to stimulate discussion and coordinate the US science
objectives for the proposed IPY in 2007 - 2008. At the request of the
International Council for Science (ICSU), the USNC to the IPY has
written a white paper on the IPY, outlining the US rationale for
participating in IPY 2007-2008 and providing a general vision of the
science. The ideas in the white paper are synthesized from input we have
received from the research community through online discussions,
conference presentations, town-halls meetings at conferences, and
written submissions to the committee.
The report is available at:
http://us-ipy.org/downloads/ipy_white_paper.pdf
The draft white paper is written for a general audience. We
invite your comments on this draft, so that it truly reflects the best
thinking of our polar science community. Comments should be limited to
two pages. If you make specific comments, please key them to the
appropriate page and line number. If you identify a gap in the report,
please provide concise information to assist us in filling it and please
also list your name and contact information so that we can contact you
if we need further information. The committee is looking for input on
issues such as:
- Does the document explain adequately a compelling scientific rationale
for a new IPY to be held in 2007-2008? - Are the overarching science themes societally relevant?
- Does the document provide a vision for future scientific endeavors and
opportunities for the next generation of polar scientists? - Are the enabling technologies appropriate?
- How could the public outreach and education opportunities be improved?
- Any other comments or suggestions for improvement?
Send your suggestions to the U.S. National Committee to the IPY at: ipyinput [at] nas.edu
We will read the input sent by you and many others from the science
community, and discuss revisions to the paper. To ensure that your ideas
and comments on this draft white paper are included in our discussions,
please respond by Friday, 2 April 2004.
After considering comments received on this draft, a final version of
this report will be prepared, and that document will contain conclusions
and recommendations.
Thank you for working with us.
Mary R. Albert
Chair, U.S. National Committee to the International Polar Year