In order to gain a more complete understanding of the role of the cryosphere in the global climate system, a comprehensive, coordinated cryospheric observation system is needed. A number of international programs–such as the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)–address the cryosphere in part, but none cover it in toto. A programme dedicated to observing the cryosphere is required to create a framework for improved coordination of cryospheric observations and to generate the data and information needed for both operational services and research. The need for close coordination of observations serving the various user communities and nations is very strong, as is the need to strengthen national and international institutional structures responsible for cryospheric observations. Increased resources for ensuring the transition of research based cryosphere observing projects to sustained observations is a necessary key for success.
About five years ago it became obvious that the likelihood of achieving these goals would be significantly enhanced through the development of a comprehensive, coordinated, integrated and coherent approach of the kind represented by an Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Theme. So, in early 2004 a concept paper was prepared by the Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) project in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and in consultation with several IGOS partners, and presented as a proposal for an IGOS Cryosphere Theme. The Cryosphere Theme proposal was approved by the IGOS Partnership in May 2004.
To engage the scientific and user communities, three Cryosphere Theme workshops were held during 2005-2006. The first took place 2-4 March 2005 in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada (sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency). The second one was held in Yokohama, Japan, on 25-26 April 2006 (co-sponsored by JAXA in cooperation with JAMSTEC), and the last Cryosphere Theme workshop was help in Noordwijk, Netherlands 16-18 October 2006 (primarily sponsored by the European Space Agency). After the three workshops, an IGOS Cryosphere Theme Report was written with input from approximately 100 scientists from 17 countries. It is a robust compilation of observing system capabilities, needs, and shortcomings, with separate chapters covering each major element of the cryosphere: sea ice, land- and river-ice, ice sheets, glaciers and ice caps, surface temperature and albedo, permafrost and seasonally frozen ground, and solid precipitation. Many recommendations for improving and sustaining the cryosphere observing system were given. In November 2007, the report was published with support from the World Meteorological Organization. It was first “released” at the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Plenary Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, and has since been distributed widely.
Featured in the June 2009 CliC Newsletter.