OTTAWA, Nov. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Media representatives are invited to attend all or part of a symposium on Arctic climate, taking place on Tuesday, November 25.

The north is of huge economic and strategic importance-and disproportionately affected by weather and by climate. Since 2000, the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) has invested $30 million in Arctic and cold-climate research. The symposium will look at what we have learned, current issues and emerging questions.

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    9:00       Welcoming remarks by Gordon McBean, Chair, Board of Trustees,
               CFCAS

    9:10       Formal opening by Michel Béland, Co-chair of the International
               Joint Committee for International Polar Year; Special Advisor
               to the Director General, Atmospheric Science and Technology
               Directorate, Environment Canada

    9:20       Address by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Chair, International Expert
               Panel on Science Priorities for the Canadian Arctic Research
               Initiative, Council of Canadian Academies

    10:20      Presentations by leading researchers on new findings on Arctic
               blizzards, ocean ice, permafrost, and the ozone layer - with
               opportunities for questions

    12:20      Lunch and CFCAS short film, Poles in Peril

    Afternoon  Presentations from heads of major research networks on
               strategic Arctic initiatives, followed by an expert panel
               addressing concerns such as tipping points, air quality,
               impacts on northern residents, sovereignty, safety and
               economic issues, adaptation challenges, and knowledge gaps

    15:50      Closing remarks by Gordon McBean, followed by reception
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Registration: No fee, but confirm participation to bellerive@cfcas.org (tel.: 613 238-2223 ext. 201).