A major undertaking in the area of cryospheric research and observations in the near-term perspective is the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY). The IGOS Cryosphere Theme developed recommendations for the IPY activities associated with the cryosphere, including maintenaning existing systems to monitor the cryosphere and an assessment of gaps in the cryospheric observing system, developing a global snapshot of the cryosphere during the IPY, establishing supersites that would include cryospheric observations in their set of measurements, extending the the WCRP Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period (CEOP) activities over the polar regions, establishing the initial elements of the Arctic Ocean observing system, and starting the implementation of the Arctic HYCOS project.

The Cryosphere CP group and the IGOS Cryosphere Theme are participating in the GEO Work Plans for 2006 and 2007-2009 through the CL-06-05 task. The task is to "Coordinate with the International Polar Year (IPY) to enhance the utilization of Earth observations in all appropriate realms (including, but not limited to, sea and land ice, permafrost, coastal erosion, marine and terrestrial ecosystem change, biodiversity monitoring and impacts of increased resource exploitation and marine transport)."

Of course, there are many other planned IPY projects that involve the cryosphere, and some of the investigators are important contributors to the Cryosphere Theme effort.  For example, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the co-lead in the Theme development, is very involved in IPY, as is International Permafrost Association (IPA).

More information on IPY is available at http://www.ipy.org.