Developing climate services for surfing activity

Aquesta tesi representa una contribució metodològica i un pas endavant cap al desenvolupament de Serveis Climàtics pel surf. Els serveis climàtics pretenen entregar informació climàtica als seus usuaris. La informació que s’entregui ha d’ajudar als individuals i a les organitzacions a implementar decisions climàticament intel·ligents. El Marc Global pels Serveis Climàtics afirma que equipar als decision makers dels sectors climàticament sensibles ajuda a la societat a adaptar-se a la variabilitat i al canvi del clima. Aquest marc global va establir cinc àrees d’actuació prioritària: agricultura, seguretat alimentària; reducció de riscos, energia, salut i aigua. Tot i amb això, els serveis climàtics es poden desenvolupar per altres sectors, com ara el turisme. Aquesta tesi es centra en el desenvolupament d’un servei climàtic pel turisme del surf, fet que no s’ha intentat abans, segons el nostre coneixement. Per a fer-ho, primerament s’identifiquen les condicions atmosfèriques i oceàniques que influeixen la pràctica de surf. Això segueix la recerca anterior i, com a resultat, s’obtenen els dies esperats de surf per any per aquells surf spots més rellevants a la Península Ibèrica. Aquest indicador es validat a través de la construcció d’un benchmark basat amb ciència ciutadana, integrat per sessions de surf registrades. Després, per comprendre les necessitats actuals d’informació climàtica i meteorològica per part d’usuaris i empreses involucrades amb l’activitat del surf, s’ha desenvolupat i analitzat una enquesta en línia. Finalment, responent a les necessitats identificades en el pas anterior, un dataset amotsfèric- oceànic amb alta resolució espacial s’ha desenvolupat a través d’un downscaling híbrid. També s’han dissenyat una sèrie d’indicadors per recomanat sobre l’activitat en les destinacions turístiques. Per a veure el potencial d’aplicació d’aquests indicadors, s’han testejat a Somo (Cantabria, Espanya), un pioner i reconegut surf spot d’Espanya.Esta tesis representa una contribución metodológica y un paso hacia delante para el desarrollo de Servicios Climáticos para el surf. Los servicios climáticos pretenden entregar información climática a sus usuarios. La información que se entregue tiene que ayudar a los individuales y a las organizaciones a implementar decisiones climáticamente inteligentes. El Marco Global por los Servicios Climáticos afirmar que equipar los decisión makers de los sectores climáticamente sensitivos ayuda a la sociedad a adaptarse a la variabilidad y al cambio del clima. Este marco global estableció cinco áreas de actuación prioritaria: agricultura, seguridad alimentaria, reducción de riesgos, energía, salud y agua. Aun así, los servicios climáticos se pueden desarrollar para otros sectores, como ahora el turismo. Esta tesis se centra en el desarrollo de un servicio climático para el turismo de surf, hecho que no se ha intentado antes, según nuestro conocimiento. Para llevarlo a cabo, primeramente, se identifican las condiciones atmosféricas y oceánicas que influyen en la practica de surf. Esto sigue la investigación anterior y, como resultado, se obtienen los días esperados de surf por año para aquellos surf spots más relevantes en la Península Ibérica. Este indicador es validado a través de la construcción de un benchmark basado con ciencia ciudadana, integrado por sesiones de surf registradas. Después, para comprender las necesidades actuales de información climática y meteorológica por parte de los usuarios y las empresas involucradas con la actividad de surf, se ha desarrollado y analizado un cuestionario en línea. Finalmente, respondiendo a las necesidades identificadas en el paso anterior, un dataset atmosférico-oceánico con altra resolución espacial se ha desarrollado a través de un downscaling híbrido. También se han diseñado una serie de indicadores para recomendar sobre la actividad en las destinaciones turísticas. Para ver el potencial de aplicación de estos indicadores, se han testeado a Somo (Cantabria, España), un pionero y reconocido surf spot de España.This thesis represents a methodological contribution and a step forward towards the development of climate services for surf. Climate services aim to deliver climate information their users. The information provided must help individuals and organizations to implement climate-smart decisions. The Global Framework for Climate Services states that it equips decision-makers in climate-sensitive sectors to help society to adapt to climate variability and change. This global framework established five priority areas of action: agriculture and food security; disaster risk reduction; energy; health; and water. However, climate services can be developed for other sectors, such as tourism. In this thesis we focus on the development of a climate service for surf tourism, which has not attempted before, to our best knowledge. To do so, we first identify the atmospheric and oceanic conditions influencing the practice of surfing. This relies on the previous research and, as a result, we obtain the expected surfing days per year are for the most relevant surf spots in the Iberian Peninsula. This is indicator is validated constructing a citizen science based benchmark, integrated by recorded surfing sessions. Next, to apprehend the actual needs for meteorological and climatic information by users and companies involved in surfing activity we develop and analyze an online survey. Finally, responding the necessities identified in the previous steep, an atmospheric-oceanic database with high spatial resolution is developed through a hybrid downscaling approach. A series of indicators are also designed to advise on the activity in tourist destinations. To ascertain the potential application of these indicators, we test them over Somo (Cantabria, Spain), a pioneer and world-known surf Spot in Spain

Exploring the climatic potential of Somo's Surf Spot for tourist destination management

Surfing is one of the most popular activities in coastal tourism resorts. However, the sport depends strongly on the met-ocean weather conditions, particularly on the surface wind-generated waves that reach the coast. This study provides examples of how users? needs and user perspectives are considered by climate data specialists to develop needed, highly useful information addressing human and social needs. In this vein, the climate analysis of such data can provide input on the expected length of a surfing season, according to the surfer?s level of expertise. In addition, other water sports, such as SUP Wave and windsurfing, among others, might be indicated when surfing conditions are not optimal. Finally, the safety of surfers and other tourists who venture into the sea is also dependent on those conditions. We collaborated with the surfing community to define a series of indices for quantifying surfing days (SD), surfing days stratified by surfers? skills (SDS), alternate offers (AOs), and surfers? and swimmers? safety (SuS and SwS). These are of general applications but require wind and wave data at a very fine scale as the input. To illustrate the potential of our indices, we applied them to the Somo beach (Cantabria, Spain). We downscaled a global wave hindcast dataset covering a 30-year period to a spatial resolution of 100 m to obtain wave-surfing information at Somo?s surf spot. The results confirmed Somo?s status as a year-round surf spot, with SD values of 229.5 days/year and monthly values between 22 days/month and 16 days/month. SDS showed different seasonal peaks according to the surfers? skills. Beginners? conditions occurred more often in the summer (18.1 days/month in July), intermediate surfers? conditions appeared in the transitional seasons (14.1 days/month in April), and advanced and big-wave riders in the winter (15.1 days/month in January and 0.7 days/month, respectively). The AO index identified the SUP wave values of 216 days/year. Wind water sports presented values of 141.6 days/year; conversely, SUP sports were possible on only 7.4 days/year. SuS and SwS identified different seasonal hazard values, decreasing from the winter, autumn, and spring to minimum values in the summer.This research is within the INDECIS project (INDECIS is part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate and funded by FORMAS (SE), DLR (DE), BMWFW (AT), IFD (DK), MINECO (ES), and ANR (FR) with co-funding by the European Union Grant 690462). This article publication was possible with the support of the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the European Union (UE), and the European Social Fund (ESF) (Doctoral Research Grant 2021FI_B2 00147—Formació personal investigador novell)

Climate services for tourism: An applied methodology for user engagement and co-creation in European destinations

Abstract This article presents an exploratory methodology to co-create climate services for the tourism sector together with local stakeholders, emphasizing focus groups as an essential step for obtaining relevant data throughout the process. The article describes the user engagement for defining the optimal conditions for tourism in four different types of destinations in terms of tourist specialisation in Spain (Jacetania Council in the Aragon Pyrenees, the city of Calvia on the island of Majorca; the city of Barcelona and the Barcelona Coast) and Italy (Sila National Park) This methodology involves a sequence of steps to extract and validate such information through engagement, with destination stakeholders along the value chain (from accommodation managers to destination planners as well as final users). The process facilitates the design of numerical indices based on the information collected (from qualitative to quantitative data). Our methodology is suitable for application in other contexts and tourism activities where the subjective perception of weather and climate plays a role, as well as in other sectors

Exploring the Climatic Potential of Somo’s Surf Spot for Tourist Destination Management

Surfing is one of the most popular activities in coastal tourism resorts. However, the sport depends strongly on the met-ocean weather conditions, particularly on the surface wind-generated waves that reach the coast. This study provides examples of how users’ needs and user perspectives are considered by climate data specialists to develop needed, highly useful information addressing human and social needs. In this vein, the climate analysis of such data can provide input on the expected length of a surfing season, according to the surfer’s level of expertise. In addition, other water sports, such as SUP Wave and windsurfing, among others, might be indicated when surfing conditions are not optimal. Finally, the safety of surfers and other tourists who venture into the sea is also dependent on those conditions. We collaborated with the surfing community to define a series of indices for quantifying surfing days (SD), surfing days stratified by surfers’ skills (SDS), alternate offers (AOs), and surfers’ and swimmers’ safety (SuS and SwS). These are of general applications but require wind and wave data at a very fine scale as the input. To illustrate the potential of our indices, we applied them to the Somo beach (Cantabria, Spain). We downscaled a global wave hindcast dataset covering a 30-year period to a spatial resolution of 100 m to obtain wave-surfing information at Somo’s surf spot. The results confirmed Somo’s status as a year-round surf spot, with SD values of 229.5 days/year and monthly values between 22 days/month and 16 days/month. SDS showed different seasonal peaks according to the surfers’ skills. Beginners’ conditions occurred more often in the summer (18.1 days/month in July), intermediate surfers’ conditions appeared in the transitional seasons (14.1 days/month in April), and advanced and big-wave riders in the winter (15.1 days/month in January and 0.7 days/month, respectively). The AO index identified the SUP wave values of 216 days/year. Wind water sports presented values of 141.6 days/year; conversely, SUP sports were possible on only 7.4 days/year. SuS and SwS identified different seasonal hazard values, decreasing from the winter, autumn, and spring to minimum values in the summer

Which Meteorological and Climatological Information Is Requested for Better Surfing Experiences? A Survey-Based Analysis

This paper extends the work of previous research by investigating surfing practices and surf-recreation companies from a behavioral perspective. The study’s main aim is to gain insights into the role of meteorological/climatological information in decision-making related to the surf-tourism activities market. This information was gathered employing an online survey that asked respondents about where they surf and how they check forecasts for surfing. Climate services (CS) are promoted to support the decision-making process to better prepare for and adapt to the risks and opportunities of climate variability and change. The current market for CS is still in its early stages. In this paper, we report the findings from our recent investigation into the actual and potential market for CS for the Iberian Peninsula surf-tourism sector. Based on surfers’ and surf companies’ demands, it was found that an improved surfing climate service (herein, SCS) will have clear implications in the management of these tourism areas and provide insights into whether surfing activities may be successful. At the same time, such services can help to manage adaptive actions in regard to the impacts of climate change in surfing areas

Expected Distribution of Surfing Days in the Iberian Peninsula

This study presents, for the first time, a comprehensive characterization of the surf spots around the Iberian Peninsula and provides surfers and stakeholders an evaluation of the expected surfing days per year on each region and spot. The provision of this climate information can help to decision-making and limit the economic and social damages caused by climate-related disasters. This product aligns with the concept of climate services, increasingly requested to help economic activities to achieve optimal performances. We employ use in our study of two sources of data: meteorological buoys (Redcos, Redex and Costeira) and citizen science data, specifically information mined from surfers reanalyzed, namely the information contained in the Glassy app for smartphones (GAC & GAS). The surf spots are characterized using bottom type, surf break type and optimal wind (Owd) and optimal swell direction (Osd). Then, we define a surfing day as the ones in which optimal swell direction and waves bigger than 0.9 m occur; using three parameters mean swell direction (Dmd), significant wave height (Hm0) and optimal swell direction for each surf spot (Osd) and compute the expected frequency of surfing days per year. Once this is done, we attempt to validate the approach taken to characterize a surfing day using buoys parameters (Hm0, Hmax, Tp and Dmd) and information about actual surf sessions for a small subset of our spots (i.e., Costa Tarragona). Our findings confirm that the area of western shore is the best suited for surfing, with over 300 days/year, followed by northern shore (300, 200 days/year) and southern and southeastern shores (<100 days/year). We expect that these values may modestly contribute to a climate-informed planning and management of the surfing activities

Gender and Climate Change, Analysis in Various Red Cross Intervention Countries

Gender inequality and climate change are two major challenges currently confronting the human species. This collaborative project between the Red Cross in Catalonia in collaboration with the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation and the Center for Climate Change (C3) at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Spain, presents a comprehensive summary of the analysis of climate change impacts in diverse intervention countries. The study offers a global perspective on climate change trends, focusing on temperature variations, greenhouse gas concentrations, oceanic changes, cryosphere dynamics, precipitation patterns and, extreme climatic events. Moving from the global to the regional scale, the report highlights the specific impacts on ecosystems, food systems, hydrological systems, sea levels, and public health. Special attention is given to localized effects in Catalonia, such as wildfires, floods, and water resource challenges. The project then explores the nuanced intersection of gender and climate change, emphasizing differentiated impacts and vulnerabilities across demographic groups. An analysis of climate vulnerability evolution with a gender lens includes an examination of international, national, and regional policies and reports. Differentiated gender impacts are illustrated through case studies in Guatemala, Colombia, Sahara (Africa), Mozambique (Africa), Afghanistan (Asia), and Iran (Asia). Each case study provides insights into the general context, the intersection of climate change and gender, energy poverty challenges, and the governance and participation of women in climate-related initiatives. To ground the analysis in empirical data, the study incorporates an in-depth analysis of the "En Moviment" program's data, covering socio-demographic aspects, climate change perceptions, governance structures, extreme weather events, and access to energy. The abstract concludes with comprehensive insights and recommendations, offering a nuanced understanding of the gendered dimensions of climate change impacts and responses in diverse geographical contexts, suitable for presentation at a congress. The study delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and gender inequality, underscoring their global significance. The research emphasizes the urgent need for an interdisciplinary approach, exploring how human-induced climate change has escalated atmospheric CO2 levels, altered temperature patterns, and impacted ecosystems. Women, constituting the majority in vulnerable populations, face disproportionate vulnerabilities, exacerbated by gender-based disparities in decision-making, access to resources, and climate-induced poverty. Specific case studies in Catalonia and diverse global regions reveal nuanced gendered impacts, highlighting the crucial role of women in adaptation and mitigation efforts. The study concludes that addressing climate change requires a profound understanding of gender dynamics, advocating for inclusive responses that prioritize gender equality as a cornerstone for building a sustainable and just future