DAMOCLES
DAMOCLES (Developing Arctic Modeling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies) is an integrated ice-atmosphere-ocean monitoring and forecasting system designed for observing, understanding and quantifying climate changes in the Arctic. DAMOCLES is specifically concerned with the potential for a significantly reduced sea ice cover, and the impacts this might have on the environment and on human activities, both regionally and globally.
The Arctic is warming faster than thought
Climate change affects the sensitive system of the Arctic much more severe than thought. In a declaration from the Damocles symposium in Brussels the scientists conclude that "unless emissions are curbed significantly, we are not expecting a stabilisation of the Arctic's climate system". (Nov 14, 2009)
Declaration from the DAMOCLES symposium in Brussels 2009
The scientists attending the symposium have worked out a declaration summarizing the key findings from the project, as well as future projections and scenarios. (Nov 12, 2009)
Abstract deadline extended for the 2010 State of the Arctic Conference
The State of the Arctic Conference will be held 16-19 March 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Miami in Miami, Florida. The main goal of the conference is to review our understanding of the arctic system in a time of rapid environmental change. (Sep 25, 2009)
Arctic sea ice extent third lowest on record
The 2009 Arctic sea ice extent is the third lowest on record. The downward spiral is reinforced by thick multi-year sea ice being replaced by younger and thinner ice. (Sep 24, 2009)
Tomography buoys successfully recovered after one year in the Fram Strait
The DAMOCLES acoustic tomography moorings were successfully recovered on August 5. The objective of this first acoustic tomography experiment in the Fram Strait is to develop new ocean observing systems for the Arctic Ocean. (Aug 10, 2009)
From the press
- Arctic climate changing fast >>
[ENN, Feb 8, 2010] - Arctic melting to cost $24 trillion by 2050 >>
[The Economic Times, Feb 7, 2010] - Despite cool temperatures, ice extent remains low >>
[NSIDC, Feb 3, 2010] - To cool global meltdown, G7 heads deep into Arctic >>
[Yahoo News/AFP, Feb 3, 2010] - Melting Arctic Ice: What Satellite Images Don't See >>
[Time, Jan 28, 2010] - Global warming threatens the Arctic charr >>
[Planet Earth, Jan 22, 2010] - Climate change opens up Arctic for undersea cable >>
[The Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 21, 2010] - 2009: Second Warmest Year on Record; End of Warmest Decade >>
[Nasa, Jan 21, 2010] - Why the pink-footed goose is a CO2 villain >>
[the guardian, Jan 20, 2010] - Arctic permafrost leaking methane at record levels, figures show >>
[The Guardian, Jan 14, 2010]
DAMOCLES is a european contribution to the International Polar Year 2007 - 2008.
DAMOCLES is financed by the European Union in the 6th Framework Programme.
