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Arctic SIG Newsletters

2015


Volume 2, Issue 2, May 2015
Volume 2, Issue 1, May 2015

2014

Volume 1, Issue 4, Dec. 2014
Volume 1, Issue 3, Dec. 2014
Volume 1, Issue 2, May 2014
Volume 1, Issue 1, Feb. 2014  



Special Interest Group Report for the Arctic


Leaders :
                      Ryan Flagg, Chair of Arctic SIG
                      David Fissel, Past-Chair 

Editor-in-Chief of Arctic SIGnal:

Ann McMillan
David Fissel, ASL Environmental Sciences
Doug Bancroft, EO DVC Consulting
Martin Taillefer, Maritime Way Scientific
Mike Crowe, retired from ECCC 
Ryan Flagg, Ocean Networks Canada

Activities planned for 2018:

  • Organize a scientific session at the CMOS 2018 Congress.
  • Organize the Annual General Meeting in conjunction with the CMOS 2018 Congress.
  • The Arctic SIGnal newsletter will be posted as needed. It will focus on start-up research projects, progress reports and stories, without neglecting interviews.
  • Maintain SIG presence on CMOS Facebook and LinkedIn pages through the ArcticSIG subgroup.
  • Continuous research for new SIG participants as well as scientific articles for the CMOS Bulletin and Arctic SIGnal.

Main activities in 2017:

  • The Arctic Special Interest Group (SIG) held two scientific sessions at the 2017 Congress: one called the Polar Prediction Year, chaired by ECCC's Greg Smith and the other, Strategies for Observation of the Arctic, chaired by Helen Joseph. Both sessions attracted a large number of participants and resulted in interesting presentations and scientific discussions.
  • Organized a plenary lecture on the Arctic by Dr. Christian Haas of York University and the Alfred-Wegener Institute.
  • The Annual General Meeting attracted twenty people and took place at the 2017 CMOS Conference.
  • Eight articles presenting research and news about the Arctic, including at least one in each of the six issues of 2017, appeared in the CMOS Bulletin. The CMOS Bulletin of December 2017 (Vol 45, No 6), a special issue on the Arctic, dealt with marine and atmospheric science in this region.
  • Attended the ArcticNet Arctic Change Conference in Quebec City in December 2017. The GIS Arctic representative judged the posters of students in the field of marine science. ArcticNet funded this participation.
  • The GIS Chair for the Arctic also attended the MEOPAR Annual Scientific Meeting in Montreal in June.
  • GIS for the Arctic has since March been an associate member of the Canadian Network of Northern Research Operators (CNNRN).

Terms of Reference

  1. In accordance with  CMOS Bylaw #5 dealing with Special Interest Groups and recognizing that Canada's North is emerging as an important area for applications of meteorological, oceanographically and related knowledge and data, a special interest group on the Arctic (Arctic SIG) will serve as a focus for CMOS interests in the North.

  2. Objectives of the group include:

    1. Handling of CMOS interests related to the Arctic in a consistent and transparent manner ii. Acting as an advisory group to the National Executive Council and membership in discussions between CMOS and others on matters related to Canada's Arctic and Northern Regions.

    2. Developing awareness of the importance of meteorology, oceanography and related science to Northern development and Arctic environmental changes and issues

    3. The engagement and communication with Northern groups and communities about Arctic meteorological, oceanographic and environmental issues, data and scientific studies

    4. Create a neutral forum by which parties from public, private, academic and local communities both Canadian and foreign entities can work in support of Arctic meteorological, oceanographic, environmental issues, data and scientific studies

    5. Provide a networking environment in order to bring together all interested groups both public and private in order to further the study of Arctic meteorological, oceanographic and environmental issues, data and scientific studies addressing issues such as climate change

    6. Facilitate the publishing of specialized material in Atmosphere-Ocean and elsewhere tied to Arctic and Northern focused research and publications

  3. Mode of Operation: The group will normally work and meet by e-mail but will explore the use of technologies to facilitate national scope meetings and discussions. It may appoint ad hoc working and study groups as required. The need for a face-to-face workshop will be assessed.

    1. Monthly or quarterly working meetings

    2. Potential for specialized sessions at the CMOS Congress Reporting of activities on a quarterly basis to the CMOS National Executive.

    3. Sponsoring of a special track at the annual CMOS conference related to Arctic meteorological, oceanographic, environmental issues, data and scientific studies

  4. Core Activities

    1. To represent the interests of CMOS, to develop positions related to Arctic issues and present these to other groups or bodies.

    2. To act as an advisory group on discussion with the CMOS membership and on matters related to Canadian Arctic meteorology, oceanography and related matters.

    3. To engage Northerners in discussion related to meteorology, oceanography and related matters in the Arctic.

    4. Reporting, Budget and fees: A business plan outlining a targeted set of activities will be created that includes any potential fees and expenditures. This will be reported to the CMOS executive as per other committee reporting on an annual basis at the annual general meeting.

  5. Arctic SIG Mandate & TOR review

On an annual basis, the SIG Executives will convene a meeting to review and assess the SIG's mandate and terns of reference to ensure that they meet the intent and mandate of the group and CMOS.