Climate Change

• © NASA
• Arctic sea ice reached a record low in September 2007, below the previous record set in 2005 and substantially below the long-term average.

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.