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Notes from the SCAR President, number 18 (10 December 2009)
An Historic Few Weeks!!
Colleagues,
It is always great to end the year on a high note and the last few weeks have been historic for SCAR in several ways! Not only has SCAR figured prominently in celebrating history but SCAR also has made history! The events that I refer to are the 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty Summit (November 30 - December 3, 2009), announcement of the inaugural recipient of the Muse Prize (December 2, 2009), and the formal release of the Antarctic Climate Change and Environment (ACCE) report (December 1, 2009).
A host of luminaries attended the Antarctic Treaty Summit in Washington DC from November 30 to December 3, 2009 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. I had the honor of representing SCAR and delivering a presentation on "New Frontiers and Future Directions in Antarctic Science" in the plenary. The Summit included an opening message from HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, a video message from His Excellency Ban Ki-moon (Secretary-General of the United Nations) emphasizing the importance of the polar regions in the current climate debate, and a speech by Ms. Susan Eisenhower (Chairman Emeritus of the Eisenhower Institute and Grand-daughter of President Eisenhower) at a reception at the US National Air and Space Museum. SCAR figured prominently in discussions throughout the Summit with one participant commenting that "SCAR is and will always be the supreme source of scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty"! Details of the meeting and the opportunity to sign a "Forever Declaration" urging stewardship of Antarctica can be found at the Summit web site. It was a great gathering of old and new Antarcticans, it is always good to see friends!
Related to the Summit was an announcement by Ms. Renate Rennie (Chairman and President, The Tinker Foundation) of the first recipient of the Martha T. Muse Prize for Antarctic Science and Policy. The Martha T. Muse Prize is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in Antarctic science or policy and who show clear potential for sustained and significant contributions that enhance our understanding of Antarctic science or policy and promote Antarctica's preservation for future generations. The Prize includes a US$100,000 unrestricted monetary award. The Prize is intended to be a legacy of the IPY and SCAR was selected to administer the Prize. To my great delight, I am pleased that one of our own, Professor Steven Chown, was the inaugural Muse Prize recipient! Professor Chown, as many of you know, is an outstanding researcher and world renowned advisor to the Antarctic Treaty System, who hails from Stellenbosch University, South Africa and serves as South Africa's Delegate to SCAR. Professor Chown is a widely published and cited authority on invasive species and the effect of climate change and human interactions on Antarctica. He delivered the SCAR ATCM Science Lecture in Stockholm, Sweden which was attended by the King of Sweden. The Selection Committee, of leading Antarctic scientists and policy makers, cited Professor Chown's outstanding contributions to both science and policy in Antarctica. He plays a critical role in Antarctic policy by leading SCAR's delegation at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs). His advice and leadership has been pivotal in advising policy makers in a wide range of environmental stewardship issues. Professor Chown will be awarded the Prize and deliver the Muse Lecture at the Oslo International Polar Year Conference in June 2010 and will be a guest of honor at the SCAR Open Science Conference in Buenos Aires in August 2010. I am sure that everyone joins me in congratulating Steven on recognition that is well deserved!
Finally, on November 30, 2009, at the Science Media Centre of the Royal Institution in London, England, SCAR's "Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE)" report was formally released with great fanfare and immense interest by the world press. A team of SCAR scientists participated in the release and response world-wide has been phenomenal. The timing could not have been better, preceding all of the attention now focused on the activities in Copenhagen. Based on the latest evidence from 100 world-leading scientists from eight countries, the ACCE focuses on the impact and consequences of rapid warming of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Southern Ocean; rapid ice loss in parts of Antarctica and the increase in sea ice around the continent; the impact of climate change on Antarctica's plants and animals; the unprecedented increase in carbon dioxide levels; the connections between human-induced global change and natural variability; and the extraordinary finding that the ozone hole has shielded most of Antarctica from global warming. ACCE is the first comprehensive review of the state of Antarctica's climate and its relationship to the global climate system. The review presents the latest research from the icy continent, identifies areas for future scientific research, and addresses the urgent questions that policy makers have about Antarctic melting, sea-level rise and biodiversity. John Turner (BAS), the ACCE editorial team, the many authors, and Colin Summerhayes deserve congratulations on a job well done! The report, the press release, and related materials can be found on the ACCE page. The report and summaries of the report have been provided to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Colin is representing SCAR in Copenhagen this week) and forms the basis for SCAR's annual climate change report to the ATCM. This represents a truly historic occasion when SCAR science has taken center stage in a critical global debate. I strongly urge you to log in and read the document.
In closing I request your assistance with two important items:
- Candidates needed for the position of Executive Officer (EO) of SCAR. We have begun the search to replace Mike Sparrow as Executive Officer (EO) of SCAR. Please widely circulate the position advertisement and encourage qualified candidates to apply. We would like to ensure a robust and diverse pool of candidates (NOTE: While all comments regarding the proposed restructuring of the Secretariat staff were positive, it was decided to leave open the option of a full-time position in case a qualified candidate that met both the scientific and financial requirements of the Secretariat could be identified).
- Nominations for SCAR Biennial Medals 2010 are requested. National Committees, Delegates and members of the SCAR science com munity are invited to nominate candidates for - "The SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research" and "The SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination". The awards will be made during the banquet of the Open Science Conference in August 2010. Please send nominations for the awards to Dr. Mike Sparrow at mds68@cam.ac.uk, no later than 1 April 2010. More details can be found on the SCAR Awards page.
Finally, I wish you peaceful and relaxing holidays! I also remind everyone to keep our colleagues deployed in the south in our hearts and minds as they spend time away from home and their families pursuing the mission that binds us all together - the exploration and study of Antarctica. I wish everyone great holidays and safe travels!
Chuck K.
President of SCAR
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