The Arctic In The Spotlight
The Arctic, the region north of 66o 33'N, is increasingly in the spotlight as climate change creates new opportunities and challenges of importance to a range of industries and business sectors. These will be discussed in London on 31 October 2006 at a one-day free workshop at which over a hundred key decision makers involved with this resource-rich and strategically important area of our planet are invited to debate the sectoral priorities for data, information and knowledge to support improved understanding, management and regulation of the Arctic region. The Arctic workshop is organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST); the Inter-Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology (IACMST); and the Marine Information Alliance (MIA). The event is sponsored by the National Centre for Ocean Forecasting (NCOF), the Met Office, BP and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). As conference chairman Dr Ralph Rayner, explains: "We need input from the top echelon of each sector - insurance, oil and gas, shipping, ports, defence, fisheries, tourism, environment and policy - and it is vital that as a result of the workshop, and as we near the start of the International Polar Year in 2007, we make sound recommendations to help support decisions about the future of this unique area of our planet. By attending and taking an active part in discussions, attendees will be able to embrace a fuller understanding and appreciation of the information and resources available to assist in sustainable development of the Arctic." The plenary session will feature a science scene setting keynote address by Professor Ola Johanassen, Founding Director of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, followed by Professor Jacqueline McGlade Executive Director of the European Environment Agency who will cover policy; Graham Thomas, Director of Arctic and Cold Regions Technology, BP Exploration who will review industry opportunities and challenges; and Commander Phil Titterton RN will look at defence operations past, present and future. Sector workshop sessions will then consider information needs and priorities and a summary discussion will bring together the findings to identify common themes.Expressions of interest in attending the one-day Arctic workshop should be sent to Dr Bev Mackenzie, Manager Marine Science, IMarEST, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ, UK. Tel: +44 20 7382 2628; fax: +44 20 7382 2668.
