The latest issue of IGAC News contains a report of the Scientific Steering Committee meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 3-5 October 2012, at which IGAC developed its vision in response to the Future Earth Initiative.

Find IGAC newsletter.

The Planet under Pressure Conference, held on 26-29 March 2012 in London, UK, was jointly organised by the Global Research Programmes including WCRP.

The Conference Declaration summarizes present day challenges and proposes solutions to address these challenges such as the creation of a new contract between science and society:

"Research plays a significant role in monitoring change, determining thresholds, developing new technologies and processes, and providing solutions. The international global-change research community proposes a new contract between science and society in recognition that science must inform policy to make more wise and timely decisions and that innovation should be informed by diverse local needs and conditions."

Find Planet under Pressure Conference Declaration.

The deadline for abstract submission for the 9th SPARC Data Assimilation Workshop to be held in June 2012, Socorro, New Mexico, USA, has been extended to 30 March.

Find workshop website.

The International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) project offers support of meetings, workshops and conferences.

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Budget cuts at Environment Canada will not only affect the agency’s workforce but also research and observations related to ozone depletion, tropospheric pollution, and atmospheric transport of toxic chemicals in the northern latitudes.

See full article published in EOS.

In the past 20 years our understanding of how the climate works has improved significantly. That’s due in no small part to an international project known as SPARC, which coordinates research worldwide on the stratosphere.

SPARC has just relocated its coordination centre from Toronto in Canada to Zurich. World Radio Switzerland spoke to the scientists who have gathered in Zurich to celebrate the move and SPARC’s 20th anniversary.

Listen to World Radio Switzerland

The international project for atmospheric and climate research SPARC (Stratospheric Processes And their Role in Climate) relocated its coordination centre from Canada to Switzerland. On 7 February 2012, SPARC celebrates the inauguration of its new office at ETH Zurich and its 20th anniversary.

Former Co-chairs, Office directors and administrative staff including the WCRP Director Dr. Asrar celebrated SPARC’s 20th anniversary in Zurich.

Find Media Release.

Find 20-year anniversary brochure.

Being alerted by severe budget constraints that hit the Canadian ozone network, SPARC sent a letter to the Canadian Minister of Environment in September. In December, the SPARC Co-Chairs received a positive response.

Read SPARC’s response to the letter received from the Canadian Minister of Environment (21 December 2011).

Find related articles (21 September 2011).

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has published the December issue of the Antarctic Ozone Bulletin.

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The Recipients of Prizes for the Best Posters and Papers Presented at the WCRP Open Science Conference

More information about the Recipients of Prizes see here