The goal of this conference was to define and summarize the state of knowledge on the role of the Arctic and Antarctic regions in global change and to identify gaps in knowledge. Topics covered include: detection and monitoring of change : climate variability and climate forcing : ocean/sea ice/atmosphere interactions and processes : effects on biota and biological feedbacks : ice sheet, glacier and permafrost responses and feedbacks : paleoenvironmental studies : aerosols/trace gases.

This collaborative book aims to offer a comprehensive introduction to global climate, the way it is currently changing, the role of earth, air and satellite observation and monitoring, and subsequent climate modelling. It focuses on the interaction between natural and anthropogenic human- made change factors. The book emphasizes the importance of capturing climatic data and the use of that data in computer-based climatic modelling.