| Climate Change |
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea levels.
Climate change is associated with global warming and is a long-term change caused by natural factors and, as is now accepted, human activities due to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is having a significant impact on weather patterns, precipitation and the hydrological cycle, affecting surface water availability, as well as soil moisture and groundwater recharge.
Many disasters are climate-related, particularly precipitation-related disasters – floods, droughts, mudslides, typhoons and cyclones. Studies conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that climate change will increase droughts, heat waves and fires in some areas. In others, more intense tropical storms and higher precipitation will increase floods, landslides and mud slides. The expected increase is in terms of intensity and frequency.
Climate change is a priority issue in many UNESCO programmes, including those concerned with the oceans, drylands, ecosystems and the management of resources.
The organization is closely involved in a number of aspects of observing, mitigating and adapting to climate change through such instruments as the World Climate Research Programme, the Drylands and Desertification Programme or the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) systematically acquires, integrates, and distributes oceanic observations, tracking changes in water levels, positions and strengths of currents, extent of sea ice and vulnerability of fish stocks. It provides valuable information on the role played by oceans in global climate change.
Understanding the impact of climate on human society and the environment requires the kind of sound and unbiased research that UNESCO supports, and the translation of research results into advice for policy makers and information for the general public.
| _NEW-Project |
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Climate Change initiatives@ The Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) is a scientific expert advisory group charged with making recommendations for a sustained global ocean observing system for climate in support of the goals of its sponsors. This includes recommendations for phased implementation.
The Panel also aids in the development of strategies for evaluation and evolution of the system and of its recommendations, and supports global ocean observing activities by interested parties through liaison and advocacy for the agreed observing plans.
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Remote Sensing: Inventory and Preservation of Frozen Tombs in Altai Mountains@ UNESCO and Global Climate Change@ With over 40 activities in all sectors of UNESCO, the Organization provides a unique forum for addressing climate change and its impacts on the environment and human society.
The Director-General has established an Inter-Sectoral Task Force on Global Climate Change to define a strategic and integrated approach for UNESCO on the issue of global climate change and to position the Organization so that it can make a tangible contribution in the years to come, especially in the context of joint action by the UN system.
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World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)@ The World Climate Research Programme, sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU), is uniquely positioned to draw on the totality of climate-related systems, facilities and intellectual capabilities of more than 185 countries. Integrating new observations, research facilities and scientific breakthroughs is essential to progress in the inherently global task of advancing understanding of the processes that determine our climate.
The two overarching objectives of the WCRP are:
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Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS)@ The Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) is an international programme conducted under the auspices of the Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). GLOSS aims at the establishment of high quality global and regional sea level networks for application to climate, oceanographic and coastal sea level research. The programme became known as GLOSS as it provides data for deriving the 'Global Level of the Sea Surface'.
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Man and the Biosphere (MAB) drylands programme@ The MAB drylands programme promotes:
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Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)@ GCOS addresses the total climate system including physical, chemical and biological properties, and atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, hydrologic, and cryospheric components. The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was established in 1992 to ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users.
It is co-sponsored by:
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)@ Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)@ Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC)@ The Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) is a scientific expert advisory group charged with making recommendations for a sustained global ocean observing system for climate in support of the goals of its sponsors.
This includes recommendations for phased implementation. The Panel also aids in the development of strategies for evaluation and evolution of the system and of its recommendations, and supports global ocean observing activities by interested parties through liaison and advocacy for the agreed observing plans.
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