Climate Information Available To All

More than 2000 scientists, experts, politicians, United Nations officials and non-governmental organizations attended the Geneva Conference on Global Framework on Climate Services, just ended last week. They came together to make sure that everyone of us has access to the climate prediction and information so that we can cope with the predictable and unpredictable problems of climate change. The key component of the services is the improving of national and regional observation and research to make weather prediction and forecast accurate to save life. People need to know about evacuation plans and potential disaster information on time — an effective warning system, when cyclone, typhoon, floods, heat waves, drought or sand storm are going to hit us. Some of the warning services are available now, but they are not formalized. Experts have warned us that because of global warming, climate-related disasters will occur more frequently and more intense, no matter where we live. The newly set-up Global Climate Services will equip government and community leaders with required tools such as digital/electronic warning system, hazard maps, health and food security alerts. Most important, Dr. Gro Harlem-Brundtland, Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, said that we can not only rely on individual projects or individual agencies to undertake this task. The international community needs to unite to make science-based information on climate available to all. To be prepared at individual level in saving our life and protecting our properties, we should be active in getting accurate information, which are available through the media such as internet, or by contact the communications and public affairs officers of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).