The International Polar Year 2007-2008 is a globally coordinated multidisciplinary campaign of research and education that is intended to increase humanity’s knowledge about the Arctic and Antarctic regions.  The International Polar Year 2007-2008 is the largest worldwide scientific collaboration yet to take place; over 50,000 people from 60+ countries are now participating.  The combined budget for the exercise is estimated to be about $1.5 billion.  The International Polar Year (IPY) program is the longest-running multinational scientific cooperative endeavour in science history.  The IPY 2007-2008 campaign is the fourth campaign so far –- and occurs on the 125th anniversary of IPY #1 (1882-1883), the 75th anniversary of IPY #2 (1932-1933), and the 50th anniversary of IPY #3 (1957-1958).  IPY #3 produced the start of the famous Mauna Loa data set.  Science is not partisan.

The International Polar Year 2007-2008 will involve interconnected biological, geological, chemical, and physical observations of the oceans, atmosphere, ice, and land.  Moreover, unlike previous IPY initiatives, IPY 2007-2008 will include dedicated sociological research and education initiatives that are intended to advance human knowledge of how to formulate broader societal awareness of select scientific data sets.  The IPY is thus a unique opportunity to elevate humanity’s awareness of the polar regions, and also showcase the practicality and results of interdisciplinary, collaborative research. 

Launched on 1 March 2007 in Paris, the International Polar Year will continue through 1 March 2009.  The IPY spans a two-year period to include a full year of seasons in both the Arctic and Antarctica. General co-sponsorship of the International Polar Year is provided by the International Council for Science and the World Meteorological Organization, while the world secretariat for the IPY is headquartered in Cambridge at the British Antarctic Survey.  The International Polar Year, beyond just being a flurry of cutting-edge research in the polar regions, will establish a legacy of multidisciplinary scientific observational networks and facilitate the development of new regimes for guiding future international scientific cooperation amid our politically fragmented world.