›EO for Polar Science Workshop

Polar regions have experienced the most rapid rates of warming in recent years and its expected impacts will exceed those forecasted for many other regions in the planet resulting in local, regional and globally significant consequences affecting natural ecosystems and human activities.

Improving our observation capacity and enhancing the basic understanding of the different drivers and processes governing those changes and translate that knowledge into actionable solutions for society is a major challenge for the future.

Earth observation from space and Earth system science will represent an essential element in this process. However, addressing the major challenge in Polar research will require a significant collaborative effort and an integrated approach to science where the synergistic use of EO satellite data, in-situ and citizen observations, advanced modelling capabilities, interdisciplinary research and new technologies will be essential elements.

EC and ESA are working together to define a common scientific agenda identifying the set of grand science challenges in Polar research that may drive joint EC-ESA scientific activities in the coming few years.

Therefore, this workshop aims at assessing the latest advancement in the use of EO technology for Polar science, exploring the main challenges and opportunities for the coming decade and consulting with the community to contribute to define a common scientific agenda for the future.

The meeting is open to EO scientists, polar researchers and students, modellers, Earth system and climate scientists, industry, operational agencies, policy makers, representatives of local communities and other stakeholders interested in sharing their knowledge and experience and contributing to drive the European polar scientific agenda.

Workshop Objectives

• Reviewing the progress and latest results in polar science with major focus on EO- advances in the domain of polar research and applications
• Identifying the major Polar scientific challenges, observation gaps and research needs for the coming years
• Identifying the coming opportunities offered by the increasing international EO capacity from space in synergies with in-situ observations, citizen science, advance modelling, new technologies and interdisciplinary research
• Exploring effective mechanisms to promote networking and collaborative research in Polar sciences, bringing together different expertise, data and resources in a synergistic manner ensuring that the final result may be bigger than the sum of the parts
• Advancing towards the definition of major scientific priorities in polar research that may drive EC and ESA collaborative activities in the coming years
• Exploring the need for major multi-year coordinated inter-disciplinary experiments (involving advances in EO satellite observations, large in-situ data collection campaigns, advances in modelling, ...)

COVID-19 Update

ESA and EC are pleased to announce that the EO for Polar Science workshop will be held online. The dates remain unchanged: 28-30 October 2020. Additional information on the virtual event will be provided in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

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