Understanding the state of the cryosphere, and its associated past, present and future variability, is essential to understanding physical and biogeochemical interactions between the oceanic, atmospheric, terrestrial, social, cultural, and economic systems. The WCRP Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) project is leading an IPY project titled "The State and Fate of the Cryosphere" that will provide a framework for assessing the state of cryosphere. It will establish links with those IPY projects involved in monitoring, assessing, and understanding the global cryosphere, and with projects involved in socioeconomic and cultural issues.

While this project is separate from the IGOS Cryosphere Theme development effort, the two are certainly related.  We anticipate that much of the Theme development will feed into the IPY proposal development, and the Theme provides an excellent opportunity to influence IPY activities.

Many other IPY projects that involve the cryosphere will collaborate on this project. Some are also important contributors to the Cryosphere Theme effort.  For example, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the co-lead in the Theme development, is very involved in IPY, as is International Permafrost Association (IPA).