Responding to the challenges of climate change |
[number or issue] 
Published by: WMO ; 2015
Format: Digital (Free), Hard copy
Vol. 64(2) - 2015 - Responding to the challenges of climate change
Language(s): English; Other Languages: French, Spanish, Russian
Format: Digital (Free), Hard copy
Tags: Climate change 
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Towards Substantially Reduced Disaster Risk in 2030
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) adopted on 18 March is the first major agreement of the 2015 agenda. Its seven global targets and four priorities for action are highly relevant to WMO. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is one of the seven priority areas of the Organization. Protecting lives, livelihoods and property is at the core of its mission – thus, WMO will support the Sendai Framework through a wide range of scientific and technical activities.1
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China’s Implementation of Impact and Risk-based Early Warning
China is one of the countries most affected by meteorological hazards. From 1984 to 2014, on average per annum meteorological hazards caused 4 066 deaths and 192.2 billion Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY, US$ 30.5 billion) direct economic losses – 2% of the Chinese Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The annual average loss ratio (direct economic losses/annual GDP) halved from 2.08% from 1984 to 2000 to 1.03% from 2001 to 2014, thanks to improved disaster prevention and mitigation measures. That 1.03% ratio is still 8 times higher than the global average (0.14%) and 3 times higher than that of the United ...
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Climate Services for the Energy Sector: A New Priority Area for the GFCS
Energy systems are the engine of economic and social development. Their investments represent a sizeable portion of a country’s GDP. Indeed, energy is essential to practically all aspects of human welfare, including access to water, agricultural productivity, health care, education, job creation and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, energy sector emissions, such as CO2, account for the largest share of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions reduction targets under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to significantly increase dema ...
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Why Does Access to Good Climate Data Matter?
Over the course of human history, weather patterns have greatly influenced the growth of commerce and communities. But in a world experiencing climate change, past assumptions about the weather no longer hold true. Local, regional and national governments, as well as businesses, are grappling with their role as decision-makers. Climate data may be available but it is often hard to find, understand and apply to decision-making. Both private and public sector decision-makers need accessible, credible and relevant climate information to increase resilience to the more intense and frequent weather ...
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Managing Risk with Climate Prediction Products and Services
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015Demand for climate predictions on timescales of weeks to decades is accelerating as decision-makers in both private and public sectors increasingly recognize their relevance in building climate resilience and in climate change adaptation. Tailored climate services are sought by various types of users for longer-term decisions and planning, for early warning of potential hazards, and for climate variability and change adaptation and mitigation. Collaboration within the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) is ensuring that providers of climate prediction products interact more effectivel ...
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Interview: Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015Vladimir Ryabinin of the Russian Federation was appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO at the level of Assistant Director-General (ADG) of UNESCO on 1 March 2015. Mr Ryabinin went to IOC from WMO, where he was a Senior Scientific Officer in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) from 2001 to 2015. His years of experience with WMO will surely benefit the close cooperation between the two organizations. The Bulletin is pleased to introduce him to our readers through the interview below. 1
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Photographic Essay: Sink or Swim Designing for a Sea of Change An exhibition by Annenberg Space for Photography
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015
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The Polar Challenge: Pushing the Boundaries of Observations for Climate Research and Services
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015The cryosphere is a major indicator of global climate change and plays a fundamental role in the climate system. Despite advances in numerical modelling, the reliability of long-term climate change predictions in the Arctic and Antarctic are severely limited by the lack of systematic in situ observations of and beneath the sea ice. For this reason, the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)1 and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation are sponsoring a Polar Challenge2 that will reward the first team to complete a 2 000 km mission with an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) under the Arctic ...
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Meteo Data Use Could Help Raise Level of Preparedness for Postal Services
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” This phrase, engraved on the side of the James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York City, has become the unofficial motto for the reliability of postal services. Yet, by virtue of their extensive networks and reliance on critical infrastructure, postal services can be profoundly affected by disasters, especially those related to natural meteorological hazards and extremes
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A Pathway to Climate Services for SIDS
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to hydro-meteorological hazards. In the coming years, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of such hazards in these islands while simultaneously increasing vulnerability by damaging ecosystems and wiping out livelihoods. Thus, in a bid to increase resilience to extreme weather events and the adverse impacts of climate change, the World Meteorological Congress in June approved the establishment of a new programme to support and enhance weather and climate services in SID ...
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Airborne Dust: A Hazard to Human Health, Environment and Society
Over the last decade, the scientific community has come to realize the important impacts of airborne dust on climate, human health, the environment and various socio-economic sectors. WMO and its Members, having started implementation of monitoring, forecasting and early warning systems for airborne dust in 2004, are at the vanguard on evaluating these impacts and developing products to guide preparedness, adaptation and mitigation policies. 1 2
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WMO Prioritizes Gender Equality
Bulletin, Vol. 64(2). WMO, 2015We must better understand the needs and use the full capacities of both women and men to meet development challenges and serve communities in a world increasingly subject to the impacts of climate change and weather extremes. This will not only improve our understanding of weather and climate but also our use of weather and climate information.
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Call for an Ethical Framework for Climate Services
Climate services have the potential to contribute to human security by improving our ability to enhance societal benefits, and reduce losses, related to climate. As natural climate patterns continue to change, society will want more timely and reliable climate services to help them gain an understanding of climate risks and for guidance on how to take advantage of related opportunities. 1 2
