About International permafrost association
The International Permafrost Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization that focuses on the study of permafrost, which is defined as ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. The IPA was established in 1983 and has since become a leading authority on permafrost research, with members from over 30 countries around the world.
Permafrost is an important component of the Arctic ecosystem and plays a crucial role in regulating global climate. It stores large amounts of carbon and other greenhouse gases, which can be released into the atmosphere if permafrost thaws due to climate change. This can have significant impacts on both local and global scales, including changes to ecosystems, infrastructure damage, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The IPA's mission is to promote research into all aspects of permafrost science, including its physical properties, distribution patterns, ecological impacts, and socio-economic implications. The organization also aims to facilitate communication between researchers from different disciplines and regions around the world.
One of the key ways that the IPA achieves its goals is through organizing international conferences on permafrost research. These conferences bring together scientists from diverse backgrounds to share their latest findings and discuss emerging issues related to permafrost science. The most recent conference was held in June 2021 in Lanzhou China.
In addition to organizing conferences, the IPA also publishes scientific journals such as "Permafrost and Periglacial Processes" which provides a platform for researchers to publish their work related to permafrost science.
The IPA also collaborates with other organizations such as Arctic Portal - a comprehensive gateway for Arctic-related information -to promote data sharing among researchers worldwide. This collaboration helps ensure that data collected by different organizations are accessible by others who may need it for their own research purposes.
Overall, the International Permafrost Association plays an important role in advancing our understanding of this critical component of Earth's system. Through its efforts to promote research, facilitate communication, and promote data sharing, the IPA is helping to ensure that we have the knowledge and tools needed to address the challenges posed by climate change.
arcticportal.org
