- Email: [email protected]
IUGG international global atmospheric chemistry programme
philosophy, ethnic origin, citizenship, language or sex. ICSU shall recognize and respect the independence of the internal scientific planning of its National Members.’ The General Assembly of the IMU supports the ICSU resolution in full and appeals to all adhering organizations to follow it:
2.15. IUGG INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY PROGRAMME””
If impacts of human activities on the atmospheric environment are to be anticipated and harmful effects mitigated, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of atmospheric chemistry on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (CACGP) of IAMAP especially calls attention to the global aspects of this problem, which are estimated to affect all nations. Current issues, such as changes to the ozone layer, the acidification of precipitation, possible climate modification as a result of increasing concentrations of radiatively active trace gases, and concern that important nutrient components of the global tropospheric nitrogen and sulphur cycles are being altered, highlight our concern about global scale changes to our atmospheric environment. The CACGP therefore strongly urges that increased international research efforts be devoted to global atmospheric chemistry. The CACGP recognizes that there is a rapidly growing number of atmospheric chemistry research programmes on regional to global scales currently under way and being planned in a number of countries. The CACGP has agreed to initiate the planning for a specific international collaborative research effort on global atmospheric chemistry, the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Programme. This programme will also serve as a key component of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme: A Study of Global Change. The focus of the programme will be to attain an understanding of the atmospheric component of biogeochemical cycles with particular emphasis on chemical and physical processes in the troposphere and material exchange between the troposphere and the Earth’s surface. The following specific steps will be taken by the CACGP during the coming years to develop the proposed programme: 1. To facilitate international communication and co-operation among national or multinational research programmes currently planned or under way, and to (“)Extract from ICSU Newsletter No. 28 of December 1986.
64
stimulate the development Examples include:
of further
co-operative
research
activities.
a. interactions among existing or planned regional atmospheric chemistry networks and campaigns, including joint intercalibration studies; b. interactions among participants currently investigating biogeochemical cycles, particularly the carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles; c. enhancement of atmospheric chemistry research programmes in certain regions, e.g. in the southern hemisphere and in the tropical zones; d. encouragement of further co-operation among atmospheric chemistry groups within different geographic regions; e. consideration of a programme of education and training for young atmospheric chemists, particularly from countries initiating atmospheric chemistry research programmes. 2. To communicate the CACGP plans for the IGAC Programme to IAMAP, IUGG and the Steering Committee of the ICSU Global Change Programme and to co-ordinate future efforts with the Global Change Programme. The CACGP will also communicate its plans to and interact with other relevant ICSU bodies, WMO, UNEP and other national and international organizations. 3. To organize a short workshop on the IGAC Programme at the CACGP 6th International Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry at Peterborough, Canada, in August 1987. This workshop, co-sponsored by the IUPAC Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry, will include presentations and discussions with both chemical and meteorological viewpoints outlining current problems in our knowledge of global distributions and trends, biological and surface exchange processes, gas phase photochemistry, multiphase processes, and theoretical studies on modelling. A particular objective of the workshop will be to outline which problems in these five areas require co-ordinated international efforts. This workshop will provide a forum for the atmospheric chemistry community to discuss the issues to be addressed in the IGAC Programme. 4. To convene a l-2 week workshop in 1988 in Melbourne, Australia, to develop in detail the rationale, objectives and plans for the IGAC Programme. The research programme will focus on those areas which are essential to understanding the global atmospheric chemical system and on the design and conduct of those experiments which require international co-operation. 5. To take a leading role in co-ordinating and providing direction for future international co-operative research programmes in the IGAC Programme as a result of the Melbourne workshop. 65
The CACGP places great emphasis on the international nature of the IGAC Programme and strongly encourages the fostering of scientific excellence and the active participation by all nations therein.
2.16. EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY’S HEAD IS “PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR”“*’
Professor Reimar Lust, who oversees Europe’s growing space programme as Director General of the 13-nation European Space Agency here, has been named a ‘Science Personality of the Year” by an international jury of leading scientists. Former winners of the award chose Professor Lust, 63, for his special contribution to the space programme which now includes the future Ariane 5 rocket, the Hermes spaceplane and the European component, named Columbus, of the planned international space station of the late 1990’s. Professor Lust has been Head of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the past two years and has been a strong voice in favour of increased spending on peaceful exploration of space. He is also Europe’s “space spokesman” in negotiations with the US Government and NASA on joint space projects. Prior to moving to ESA in Paris, he spent 12 years as President of the prestigious Max-Planck Gesellschaft promoting science in his native West Germany. He described his nomination as science personality as recognition of ESA’s space research and development work as a whole. The “Personality of the Year” contest in Paris chooses outstanding men and women in 12 fields. The award organization is independent and the jury is composed of former laureates. Some 700 personalities have been honoured in the 16 years of the contest. This year the Head of State award went jointly to Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzales and Japanese Premier Yasuhiro Nakasone. From 1 January 1987, ESA’s full membership rises from 11 to 13 with the adhesion of Austria and Norway. The other 11 members are Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ireland. Finland is a new Associate Member, while Canada collaborates with ESA.
(‘“)ESANews Release No. 49 of 12 December 1986.
66
2.15. IUGG INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY PROGRAMME””
If impacts of human activities on the atmospheric environment are to be anticipated and harmful effects mitigated, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of atmospheric chemistry on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (CACGP) of IAMAP especially calls attention to the global aspects of this problem, which are estimated to affect all nations. Current issues, such as changes to the ozone layer, the acidification of precipitation, possible climate modification as a result of increasing concentrations of radiatively active trace gases, and concern that important nutrient components of the global tropospheric nitrogen and sulphur cycles are being altered, highlight our concern about global scale changes to our atmospheric environment. The CACGP therefore strongly urges that increased international research efforts be devoted to global atmospheric chemistry. The CACGP recognizes that there is a rapidly growing number of atmospheric chemistry research programmes on regional to global scales currently under way and being planned in a number of countries. The CACGP has agreed to initiate the planning for a specific international collaborative research effort on global atmospheric chemistry, the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Programme. This programme will also serve as a key component of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme: A Study of Global Change. The focus of the programme will be to attain an understanding of the atmospheric component of biogeochemical cycles with particular emphasis on chemical and physical processes in the troposphere and material exchange between the troposphere and the Earth’s surface. The following specific steps will be taken by the CACGP during the coming years to develop the proposed programme: 1. To facilitate international communication and co-operation among national or multinational research programmes currently planned or under way, and to (“)Extract from ICSU Newsletter No. 28 of December 1986.
64
stimulate the development Examples include:
of further
co-operative
research
activities.
a. interactions among existing or planned regional atmospheric chemistry networks and campaigns, including joint intercalibration studies; b. interactions among participants currently investigating biogeochemical cycles, particularly the carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles; c. enhancement of atmospheric chemistry research programmes in certain regions, e.g. in the southern hemisphere and in the tropical zones; d. encouragement of further co-operation among atmospheric chemistry groups within different geographic regions; e. consideration of a programme of education and training for young atmospheric chemists, particularly from countries initiating atmospheric chemistry research programmes. 2. To communicate the CACGP plans for the IGAC Programme to IAMAP, IUGG and the Steering Committee of the ICSU Global Change Programme and to co-ordinate future efforts with the Global Change Programme. The CACGP will also communicate its plans to and interact with other relevant ICSU bodies, WMO, UNEP and other national and international organizations. 3. To organize a short workshop on the IGAC Programme at the CACGP 6th International Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry at Peterborough, Canada, in August 1987. This workshop, co-sponsored by the IUPAC Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry, will include presentations and discussions with both chemical and meteorological viewpoints outlining current problems in our knowledge of global distributions and trends, biological and surface exchange processes, gas phase photochemistry, multiphase processes, and theoretical studies on modelling. A particular objective of the workshop will be to outline which problems in these five areas require co-ordinated international efforts. This workshop will provide a forum for the atmospheric chemistry community to discuss the issues to be addressed in the IGAC Programme. 4. To convene a l-2 week workshop in 1988 in Melbourne, Australia, to develop in detail the rationale, objectives and plans for the IGAC Programme. The research programme will focus on those areas which are essential to understanding the global atmospheric chemical system and on the design and conduct of those experiments which require international co-operation. 5. To take a leading role in co-ordinating and providing direction for future international co-operative research programmes in the IGAC Programme as a result of the Melbourne workshop. 65
The CACGP places great emphasis on the international nature of the IGAC Programme and strongly encourages the fostering of scientific excellence and the active participation by all nations therein.
2.16. EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY’S HEAD IS “PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR”“*’
Professor Reimar Lust, who oversees Europe’s growing space programme as Director General of the 13-nation European Space Agency here, has been named a ‘Science Personality of the Year” by an international jury of leading scientists. Former winners of the award chose Professor Lust, 63, for his special contribution to the space programme which now includes the future Ariane 5 rocket, the Hermes spaceplane and the European component, named Columbus, of the planned international space station of the late 1990’s. Professor Lust has been Head of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the past two years and has been a strong voice in favour of increased spending on peaceful exploration of space. He is also Europe’s “space spokesman” in negotiations with the US Government and NASA on joint space projects. Prior to moving to ESA in Paris, he spent 12 years as President of the prestigious Max-Planck Gesellschaft promoting science in his native West Germany. He described his nomination as science personality as recognition of ESA’s space research and development work as a whole. The “Personality of the Year” contest in Paris chooses outstanding men and women in 12 fields. The award organization is independent and the jury is composed of former laureates. Some 700 personalities have been honoured in the 16 years of the contest. This year the Head of State award went jointly to Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzales and Japanese Premier Yasuhiro Nakasone. From 1 January 1987, ESA’s full membership rises from 11 to 13 with the adhesion of Austria and Norway. The other 11 members are Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ireland. Finland is a new Associate Member, while Canada collaborates with ESA.
(‘“)ESANews Release No. 49 of 12 December 1986.
66