CMOS Bulletin SCMO
Vol. 45, No.2
25
Turning CMOS 50
th
Anniversary Celebrations into Action
Plans are continuing to develop to celebrate the 50
th
anniversary of the creation of the Canadian
Meteorological Society (CMS) and the 40
th
anniversary of the addition of the oceanographic
disciplines to create the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). The
anniversary date was January 1, 2017, but we will recognize this important milestone many
ways over the coming months.
During the last 50 years, CMOS and its members have made invaluable contributions to
Canadian and global science. They have improved the safety of Canadians and assisted
economic advancement in Canada. To celebrate these achievements, CMOS is planning a
series of activities for 2017 including:
a public webcast by prominent scientists or spokespersons in collaboration with the Canadian
Climate Forum, to provide credible scientific information on climate change to Canadians;
special sessions at the Toronto Congress in June 2017, with invited speakers, international guests and media
publicity; and
a special publication highlighting the best of
Atmosphere-Ocean
over the years, showcasing the “state of the art” of
our disciplines.
The Council of CMOS has created the Golden Jubilee Fund for 2016-17 that will provide CMOS with the resources to
showcase our rich history and our sciences through these activities. A tax-deductible donation to the Golden Jubilee
Fund will offer individuals, organizations and companies the opportunity to support CMOS in our ambition to be more
visible as we celebrate our special anniversary.
Please consider making a donation. You can donate today in the Member Area of the CMOS web site
(preferred method) or by using the DONATE ONLINE NOW button on the CMOS home page (
www.cmos.ca
).
Donations will be accepted any time in the coming year, but your early consideration of this venture is important.
CMOS thanks you for your support. Watch the CMOS Bulletin and CMOS web site for updates on these and other 50
th
anniversary activities.
Martin Taillefer, CMOS President
Concrétiser les célébrations du 50
e
anniversaire de la SCMO
Nous continuons de planifier les célébrations du 50
e
anniversaire de la fondation de la Société de météorologie du
Canada (SMC) et du 40
e
anniversaire de l’ajout des sciences de la mer, qui mena à la création de la Société
canadienne de météorologie et d’océanographie (SCMO). La date exacte de l’anniversaire était le 1
er
janvier 2017,
mais nous soulignerons cet important jalon de plusieurs façons, au fil des mois.
Au cours des 50 dernières années, la SCMO et ses membres ont considérablement contribué aux sciences
canadiennes et mondiales. Ils ont renforcé la sécurité des Canadiens et participé à l’avancement économique du pays.
Afin de célébrer ces réalisations, la SCMO planifie une série d’activités pour l’année 2017, y compris :
Un web émission publique mettant en vedette d’éminents scientifiques ou porte-paroles, et ce, en collaboration avec
le Forum canadien du climat, afin d’offrir aux Canadiens une information scientifique crédible sur les changements
climatiques;
Des séances spéciales au Congrès de Toronto en juin 2017, comprenant des conférenciers, des invités
internationaux et une campagne publicitaire dans les médias;
Une publication spéciale qui souligne le meilleur d’
Atmosphere-Ocean
et témoigne de la fine pointe de nos domaines.
Le conseil de la SCMO a créé le Fonds du jubilé pour l’année 2016-2017, afin de nous fournir les moyens de présenter
la riche histoire et les sciences de la célébrons cet anniversaire spécial.
S’il vous plaît envisager de faire un don. Vous pouvez le faire dès aujourd’hui dans l’Espace membres du site Web de
la SCMO (méthode préférée), ou en cliquant sur le bouton DON EN LIGNE, sur la page d’accueil de la SCMO
(
www.scmo.ca
). Nous accepterons les dons tout au long de l’année, mais les dons hâtifs s’avéreront les plus utiles.
La SCMO vous remercie de votre soutien. Consultez le
Bulletin
et le site Web de la SCMO pour vous tenir au courant
des activités du 50
e
anniversaire.
Martin Taillefer, Président de la SCMO
50th Anniversary: Golden Jubilee Fund
CMOS Bulletin SCMO
Vol. 45, No.2
26
Book Review
1
Retired from Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada
A Farewell to Ice
By Peter Wadhams
Published by Allen Lane Penguin Random House UK
Hardcover 240 pages ISBN 978-0-241-00941-3 $42.95CAN
Book Reviewed by John Falkingham
1
Editor’s note: This book was also reviewed by Paul LeBlond in the December issue of the Bulletin
(Vol. 44, No. 6). Its subject matter certainly warrants attention, and here John offers his thoughts,
which are very much aligned with Paul’s, on why this book is a well-written and important read.
Within the sea ice research community, the name Peter Wadhams is legendary. Peter is one of a handful of
scientists who have studied sea ice extensively from above, from below, and from under their boots. His career
spans 5 decades and includes more than fifty expeditions to both Polar Regions. Witnessing first-hand the
startling disappearance of Arctic sea ice, Peter has become an outspoken and eloquent advocate of the need to
address climate change in a significant manner. The title of this most recent book, which he gives with apologies
to Hemingway, is as much a personal good-bye as a lament to a global tragedy.
In the short first chapter, “A Blue Arctic”, Peter recalls some of his early research on sea ice in contrast to
observations of the past two decades. This sets the stage for the call to action on climate change with which he
closes. The second chapter, “Ice, the Magic Crystal”, is devoted to a brief but accurate description of the physics
of ice. Peter accomplishes this with plain language and real-world examples that scientists and non-scientists
alike will appreciate.
In the next two chapters, Peter describes the history of ice on Earth from the first glaciation over 2 billion years
ago. Over this discussion, he cements the connection between ice ages, global atmospheric temperatures, and
greenhouse gas concentrations, laying the foundation for his later conclusions.
Chapter 5 provides a meticulous description of the greenhouse effect complete with graphs and descriptions of
the major greenhouse gasses and their impact. He notes the important role of the ocean in temporarily
moderating the global temperature rise. The chapter concludes with a discussion of Arctic amplification which
leads into Chapter 6, “Sea Ice Meltback Begins”, a description of the changes in Arctic sea ice since the
nineteenth century. Peter includes several personal anecdotes from his field research, many of which have
Canadian connections. He recalls flying on the DC-4 ice reconnaissance aircraft of the Atmospheric
Environment Service (as the Meteorological Service of Canada was known) complete with mention of the
infamous Flyers’ Club in Gander. Peter recounts recognizing the thinning of the Arctic ice during his voyages on
Royal Navy submarines (including the tragic 2007 voyage of HMS
Tireless
). He concludes the chapter with an
account of his study of wave-ice interaction aboard the University of Alaska icebreaker
Sikuliaq
in the Beaufort
Sea in 2015.
Chapter 7, “The Future of Arctic Sea Ice – The Death Spiral”, is where Peter introduces his main thesis for the
remainder of the book – that we have entered a climate regime where the heating of the Earth is not stoppable
without drastic human intervention. He takes square aim at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for
failing, in its 5
th
Assessment Report, to present the true state of Arctic sea ice and downplaying the threat by
including an unrealistic climate projection.
In Chapter 8, Peter further supports his thesis by describing the numerous feedback mechanisms and shows
how the Arctic sea ice retreat is not just a response but is also a driver of climate change. Chapter 9 expounds
on the role of methane as a greenhouse gas and the potential impact of melting permafrost, which he calls a
“catastrophe in the making”.
Chapter 10, “Strange Weather”, suggests the link between changes in the Arctic and weather extremes at
temperate latitudes with consequences for food production and water supply. Chapter 11 describes the global
ocean circulation and the critical role that sea ice plays in convection in the Greenland Sea. He laments the fact
that, while “everyone accepts that the thermohaline circulation is a vital part of our climate system”, there has
been little support for research to better understand it.