Get Involved in GCW!

The success of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) depends on scientists who donate their time to help improve the cryosphere observing system and enhance the information that can be drawn from it. There are many ways to contribute to GCW including, but not limited to:

Observations

• Field experiment data
• Operational station data
• Satellite Products
• Historical data rescue
• Contributions to the compilation of measurement methods

Assessments

• Short articles describing the state of the cryosphere over the last month, season, or year.
• Identification and description of interesting events in the cryosphere.

Observational Requirements and User Needs

• Database of existing observational requirements (various sources)
• Survey of user needs

Outreach

• GCW brochures, handouts, newsletters
• Online educational modules
• Glossary compilation
• Photographs (with embedded credits, as appropriate)
• Videos (with embedded credits, as appropriate)

You do not have to be a member of a GCW working group or team in order to contribute, though people who plan to remain involved generally are members. Becoming a member is a somewhat formal process:

• The selection of new GCW experts will reviewed by the GCW Steering Group (GSG) based on the candidate's experience and expertise, and their potential for contribution to specific priority activities.
• When changes in membership take place between GSG annual meetings, the Secretariat will seek approval from the GSG Chair and Vice-Chair via email, based on proposals from Working Group (WG) Chairs.
• A letter of endorsement from the WMO Permanent Representative (PR) of the respective country is required. For experts working for organizations other than a National Hydro-Meteorological Service (e.g. IACS(IUGG), WGMS(IACS), IASC, SCAR, CliC, as well as other national organizations and universities), the endorsement of senior management of their organization should be obtained, and the notification of the country’s PR is still required. PR information can be found at https://www.wmo.int/cpdb/.

If you are interested in becoming involved in GCW, the best way to start is to contact us with a message describing how you would like to contribute.