International Study of Arctic Change
(ISAC)
Year of approval: 2013
IASC Action Groups
ISAC is an arctic environmental change program
both long-term activities and urgent needs.
initiated by IASC and AOSB in 2003. ISAC’s vision
They are dynamic groups that act within a limit-
is one of timely, relevant, and accessible scientific
ed timeframe of two years.
IASC Action Groups (AGs) provide strategic
advice to the Council and Working Groups on
information for responding to rapid arctic change.
ISAC is an open ended, international, interdisciplinary arctic environmental change program. To
of arctic changes, understanding their nature and
Joint IASC/SCAR Bipolar Action Group
(BipAG and BipAG II)
Years: 2008-2012
causes, and the feedbacks and connections among
BipAG was initiated by SCAR and IASC to explore
them. ISAC encompasses pan-Arctic, system-scale,
options for effective cooperation concerning bipolar
multidisciplinary observations, synthesis and
issues and the development of mechanisms to nur-
modeling to provide an integrated understand-
ture the International Polar Year legacy. The two-
ing of arctic change and projections of future
year mandate for BipAG was prolonged in 2010 and
change. The ISAC Science Plan provides a vision
BipAG II concentrated first and foremost on bipolar
for integrating research among diverse fields and
scientific opportunities for ooperation.
succeed, ISAC requires observation and tracking
varied users and stakeholders. ISAC is motivated
by environmental changes that are already large
enough to affect life in the Arctic. Future system
IASC Data Policy Group
Years: 2012-2013
states are uncertain and the lack of predictability
To reinforce IASC’s commitment to robust data
hinders efforts to develop strategies for adapting
management and sharing activities, IASC Council
to and managing a changing Arctic.
decided to form a small advisory group of external
experts and interested Council members to develop and recommend a data policy, including steps
toward implementation of the policy, that provide
guidance for IASC supported activities.
IASC Action Group on Geosciences
Years: 2012-2013
Two years after the formation of the five IASC
Working Groups, it became apparent that geological research is underrepresented in the current WG
structure. To address this issue, IASC Council agreed
to form AGG with the terms of reference to provide
strategic advice to IASC Council and WGs on both
long-term opportunities and priorities in the field of
Geoscience research in a broader sense. Since geosciences embrace a wide variety of scientific disciplines, emphasis is given to the overarching aspects
of research.
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