#CBCNews High Arctic research station forced to close

via cbc.ca

Sadly today marks the official announcement of the closure of Canada's PEARL Observatory. We have been unable to secure funding, primarily because we no longer have any government atmospheric or climate programs we can apply to for funds. The new observatory promised for 2017 is 1300 km to the south and is not in the high Arctic. Being in this location was important for being able to take measurements last spring during the largest Arctic ozone hole yet observed.

CRL update 20120223

 

Good morning!
Here's the lidar shining into ice crystals last night while Chris was measuring.

via Crow Emily

Photo of the #CANDAC #Rayleigh #Mie #Lidar back in action from #Eureka #NWT.

 

In Situ Crow Emily and the remote Dalhousie University crew have gotten the CRL lidar going again at the PEARL Observatory in Eureka. You can follow the ACE satellite validation campaign action at http://acebox.uwaterloo.ca/eureka. Today marked the first day the Sun has (briefly) peeked over the horizon at 80 degrees North this year!

Why is this scientist smiling? Read the meter: 981mJ GREEN @ 30Hz. Game on! #lidar

 

Well after a very long time the Crows are happy to report that we appear to have our laser issues resolved and we are hoping to be able to resume routine operations with our new transmitter. As the meter shows we are getting close to 1 J per pulse (@ 30 Hz) of green light from our new YAG. We were here before last March, but got stymied as the power quickly decayed. This problem appeared to be due to heat building up inside the system. Litron solved this problem by designing new covers with exhaust fans. There were also some internal times issues that appear to be resolved. We were also able to try our new beam expander, and it looks like we don't have any serious clipping issues (the beam was a bit larger than anticipated, but fixing the timing issues and changing lamps got us back to its nominal value).

Needless to see we are very happy and can get back to work, but without Crow Emily for a bit. She is up in Eureka working with the CANDAC CRL lidar system until April. We'll keep you posted on that.

See a few more snaps from the install here.

Our rods have seen better days. #QuestFor1Jgreen

Canada dropping the #ozone ball, scientists warn - Politics - CBC News

via cbc.ca

The CBC has picked up the AGU EOS article. I noticed the first commenter saying if EC thinks it is important they should cut something else. I would ask what would you do if your income was suddenly cut in half? Cut eating so you could heat your home? Live in a tent and eat better? Don't natter on about EC and priorities. Unless you think they should eliminate providing weather forecasts in Ontario to pay for their ozone program! Or do you believe they should outsource forecasting to another met service?

Wonderful. Harper govt to cut GSC's Ice Core Research Lab as well #EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt

Well got some feedback on the Harper Government cutting ozone research at Enviroment Canada. A colleague sent on this McLean's article about cutting the Geological Survey of Canada's Ice Core Research Laboratory as well.

That makes sense, right? If your trying to erase the present climate record to justify unchecked development you better cover your tracks and deny the last 150,000 years as well!
The horror...

You can download the story from Macleans Magazine here (pdf).

 

Ouch! From @theAGU #EOS: #EnvironmentCanada Cuts Threaten the Future of Science & International Agreements #ozone

Top American Atmospheric Scientists conclude:

We are concerned, in light of the Environment Canada budget cuts, that the international community may no longer be able to rely on the exceptional efforts and past leadership role provided by Canada for Arctic research. 

The Harper government is turning it's back on Canada's "True North" stewardship by implementing draconian cuts to ozone science that will not allow Canada to fulfil several international treaties it is party to including the Montreal protocol (how ironic!) and the US-Canada Air Quality agreement.

Download the article from AGU's EOS Transactions Newsletter here (pdf).

Man my new office in the P&A building @westernu better have one of these.

and a sandbox would be cool too.