Introductory pages

The second edition of the history of SCAR, issued for SCAR's 60th Anniversary in 2018.

• Title page
• Frontispiece
• Copyright page
• Contents
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword to 1st edition by M C Kennicutt II, President of SCAR
• Foreword to 2nd edition by S L Chown, President of SCAR

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

Antarctica was the last continent to be discovered and the last to be explored. Indeed, some would say that we have not yet completed our exploration of Antarctica, begun over 200 years ago when Captain James Cook first began the delimitation of the continent between 1772 and 1775, until then known as Terra Australis Incognita.

Contents:

• Introduction
• The First International Polar Year (1882–83)
• The Second International Polar Year (1932–33)
• The International Geophysical Year (1957–58)
• The First CSAGI Antarctic Conference
• The Second CSAGI Antarctic Conference
• The Third CSAGI Antarctic Conference
• The Fourth CSAGI Antarctic Conference
• The legacy of IGY

Chapter 2 - The Early Years (1958-67)

I SCAR to IX SCAR

ICSU had invited each of the twelve nations actively engaged in Antarctic research to nominate a Delegate to the Special Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). At this time “actively engaged” meant supporting over-wintering parties.

Contents:

• Establishing SCAR
• Developing the Antarctic Treaty
• Developing the structure of SCAR
• Antarctic Treaty relations
• Cartography
• Logistics and Communications
• Biology
• Meteorology
• Geology and Geophysics
• Glaciology
• Oceanography
• Upper Atmosphere Physics

Chapter 3 - The Consolidation Years (1968-1977)

X SCAR to XIV SCAR

SCAR meetings had now settled into a familiar pattern. There were sufficient countries coming forward with offers to host the biennial meeting for adequate planning and advance warning to the community. The format of meetings with the meetings of the Working Groups preceding the Delegates’ Meeting kept the meeting length to a manageable two weeks.

Contents:

• Building on the legacy of the IGY
• Antarctic Treaty interactions
• Logistics
• Biological Sciences
• Human Biology and Medicine
• Geological Sciences
• Oceanography
• Meteorology
• Upper Atmosphere Physics
• Geodesy and Cartography
• Glaciology
• Group of Specialists on Ice Shelf Drilling Projects

Chapter 4 - The Expansion Years (1978-87)

XV SCAR to XIX SCAR

For the first twenty years SCAR membership remained unchanged with the original twelve countries that established the original Special Committee in 1958. There seemed limited interest amongst other countries to commit to an expensive Antarctic research programme until, that is, the Treaty began to discuss mineral resources at a series of Special Treaty meetings. Suddenly countries wanted to be included in the decision-making.

Contents:

• New members join SCAR
• XV SCAR, Chamonix, 1978
• XVI SCAR, Queenstown, 1980
• XVII SCAR, Leningrad, 1982
• XVIII SCAR, Bremerhaven, 1984
• XIX SCAR, San Diego, 1986
• Rumblings of discontent
• Antarctic Treaty relations
• Biological Sciences  *
• Human Biology and Medicine
• Geological Sciences
• Oceanography
• Glaciology
• Group of Specialists on Antarctic Climate Research
• Upper Atmosphere Physics

^{* Including BIOMASS (Biological Investigations of the Marine Antarctic Systems and Stocks) programme}

Chapter 5 - The Environmental Years (1988-97)

XX SCAR to XXIV SCAR

During this decade the membership of SCAR suddenly increased. Much of this was linked to the enthusiasm of countries to become Consultative Treaty Parties so that they could take part in any minerals development. The quest for consultative status required proof of significant scientific research and how better to do this than through SCAR.

Contents:

• Yet more new members
• The establishment of COMNAP and SCALOP  *¹
• Environmental initiatives  *²
• Relations with the Antarctic Treaty
• XX SCAR, Hobart, 1988
• The new Executive Secretary
• Meeting in Brazil in 1990 for XXI SCAR
• The SCAR Antarctic Science Conference
• The request from the United Nations (for an international station)
• XXII SCAR, San Carlos de Bariloche, June 1992
• XXIII SCAR, Rome, September 1994
• XXIV SCAR, Cambridge, August 1996
• Biological Sciences
• Group of Specialists on Seals
• Human Biology and Medicine
• Geological Sciences
• Group of Specialists on the Structure and Evolution of the Antarctic Lithosphere
• Group of Specialists on the Evolution of Cenozoic Palaeoenvironments of the Southern High Latitudes (GOSC)
• Physical Sciences
• Geodesy and Cartography
• Group of Specialists on Global Change and the Antarctic (GLOCHANT)

^{*1 SCALOP - Standing Committee on Antarctic Logistics and Operations
*2 includes the establishment of GOSEAC (Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation)}

Chapter 6 - The Rejuvenation Years (1998-2004)

XXV SCAR to XXVIII SCAR

SCAR had been growing in size and complexity but it had not really grasped the importance of internal change in maintaining its key role as an international co-ordinator for all Antarctic science. The growth of Antarctic interests and activity in other NGOs was beginning to challenge its leadership but its structures were still much the same as in 1970. During the 1990s it became increasingly apparent that some things would have to change if SCAR was to continue to fulfil its functions and be effective in initiating, promoting and co-ordinating Antarctic research.

Contents:

• SCAR Organization and Strategy
• The Birth of a New Future in Concepción
• XXVI SCAR, Tokyo, Japan
• Transition in China
• SCAR Secretariat and structural changes
• XXVIII SCAR, Bremen and Bremerhaven
• The Prince of Asturias Prize
• Antarctic Treaty interactions
• Changing from Working Groups to Standing Scientific Groups

Chapter 7 - The New SCAR (2004-10)

XXIX SCAR to XXX SCAR

The history of SCAR changed dramatically with the reorganization, becoming both more complex and more wide-ranging. SCAR was well-positioned to make use of this exciting opportunity and decided to concentrate on three key areas: how Antarctic processes contribute to the working of the Earth System, and vice versa; how the south polar environment is influenced by human activities originating both within and outside the region; and what needed to be done to safeguard the environment.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Key global features of Antarctic science
• SCAR’s science delivery
• Standing Scientific Group on Life Sciences (SSG-LS)
• Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences (SSG-PS)
• Standing Scientific Group on Geosciences (SSG-GS)
• Interactions with the Antarctic Treaty
• Interactions with CCAMLR
• Capacity Building, Education and Training (CBET) and Awards
• Communication
• SCAR and IASC – a Bipolar Approach
• SCAR and the IPY
• Women and SCAR

Chapter 8 - The Achievements of SCAR

For more than 50 years SCAR has helped to enhance the scientific understanding of Antarctica and its environs, moving on over time from its initial role of helping to ensure the legacy of the International Geophysical Year of 1957–58, in which SCAR was created, to highlight the role of Antarctica in the global Earth System. SCAR adds value to national scientific research in the Antarctic by encouraging co-operation and synthesis, providing a pan-Antarctic view beyond the capability of any one nation.

Contents:

• Scientific advice on conservation and environmental management
• SCAR products
• Observing systems
• 2009 Review of SCAR
• The Secretariat

Chapter 9 - Towards SCAR’s 60th Birthday (2008–18)

XXXI SCAR to XXXV SCAR

By 2018 SCAR had been in operation for 60 years. Since its first meeting in The Hague, 3–5 February 1958, it has grown an international network of thousands of scientists who share a common ambition to carry out Antarctic science for the benefit of society. With a membership now representing the scientific communities of 43 countries, SCAR continues initiating, developing and coordinating high quality international scientific research in the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Overarching Influences and Developments
  • ACCE and SOOS
  • Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan
  • Antarctic Roadmap Challenges (ARC)
  • Open Science Conferences
• Advances in Science Delivery
• Life Sciences
• Geosciences
• Physical Sciences
• SCAR Social Sciences
• Provision of Advice to the Antarctic Treaty
• Links to COMNAP
• Data and Information Management
• Follow-up to the International Polar Year (IPY)
• Capacity Building, Fellowships, and Awards
• SCAR’s Partners and Products

Chapter 10 - Epilogue

The future for SCAR looks exciting as the importance of Antarctic science grows in our understanding of global systems. Major steps forward have been the recognition of the importance of gender equality in all of its activities and the need to focus on the development of the next generation through organizations such as APECS.

Appendices

• Appendix 1 - SCAR Members
• Appendix 2 - SCAR Delegate Meetings
• Appendix 3 - SCAR Elected Officers
• Appendix 4 - SCAR Executive Committee Meetings
• Appendix 5 - SCAR Chief Officers
• Appendix 6 - SCAR Secretariat Staff
• Appendix 7 - SCAR Awards
• Appendix 8 - SCAR Symposia
• Appendix 9 - SCAR Publications
• Appendix 10 - List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Appendix 11 - Antarctic winter stations

Index

The inside covers of the book showing maps of the Antarctic winter stations during the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58 (inside front cover) and the Antarctic winter stations during the International Polar Year, 2007-08 (inside back cover).

The front and back covers of the 2nd edition (2018) of Science in the Snow.