Happy International Polar Year

Most of you (who, like me, haven't had the luck of visiting the planet's polar regions) may wonder about the importance of the International Polar Year. Well, these regions are likely the "canaries in the mineshaft" when it comes to Climate Change and this planet. Many major changes have been witnessed in the make-up of these regions. What better time to focus some of our energy there? It all makes sense to me, save for one thing: Why does the year start in March and actually go for 2 years (it ends in March 2009)?