Scientists focus on ice as part of International Polar Year

Scientists from around the world are studying the polar regions to detect changes in ice cover and the potential effect this may have on our future. Over the next 18 months, polar latitudes are also at the top of scientists' agenda as the International Polar Year 2007-2008 unfolds, which began on 1 March 2007. The system of heat transportation is one of the main drivers of weather and climate and snow and ice play an important part in regulating this system in a number of ways. The thickness of sea ice plays a central role in polar climate as it moderates heat transport by insulating the ocean from the cold polar atmosphere. In addition, when ice forms or melts it changes the salinity and hence density of surface waters, which - along with temperature - has a significant effect on certain global ocean circulation patterns.ESApod video programme