Global Climate Observing System

Learning from the authors of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and its findings to help guide future strategies for climate change observations and research was the key objective of a workshop organised jointly by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) in Sydney, Australia, 4-6 October 2007

Just transitions for a Climate-Resilient Development in Africa – Transforming Dialogue into Action

CCDA-X1, hosted by the Government of Namibia, convened on the theme: “Just transitions for a Climate-Resilient Development in Africa – Transforming Dialogue into Action” in collaboration with Africa’s civil society organisations, academia, development partners, regional and international organisations and the private sector. The conference resulted in the following key messages to be taken forward to COP27 by Namibia

Assessment of Social Vulnerability to Natural Hazards in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho

Lesotho's landlocked mountainous setting with thin regolith cover and poor economic situation make it vulnerable to hazardous events associated with climate such as drought, floods, strong winds, heavy snowfall, and severe frost. To date, no quantitatively based vulnerability assessment has been undertaken in this heavily populated, developing region in southern Africa. The primary aim of this study was to assess social vulnerability of communities to natural hazards by applying a place-based social vulnerability index developed for the United States, to the Lesotho context. The study used 2006 Lesotho census data, district government records, and household interviews to identify 27 indicators of social vulnerability in southern Lesotho, and then used principal components analysis to generate a social vulnerability index for the study region. Index scores were summed and then mapped to quantify spatial variability in social vulnerability. The study results show a clustering of highly vulnerable communities in the rural highlands as a result of underdevelopment, poverty, and inaccessibility

Ravaged landscapes and climate vulnerability: The challenge in achieving food security and nutrition in post-conflict Timor-Leste

Food insecurity and malnutrition are prevalent in post-conflict countries. Climate change poses further challenges to their food production. Timor-Leste is an agrarian society that won independence in 2002 and is struggling to achieve food security and reduce undernutrition as the country modernizes. The economy depends on fossil fuel revenues and oil reserves are dwindling. A review of climate, agricultural, and nutrition data reveals high weather vulnerability, low agricultural productivity, and slow dietary and nutritional progress. But solutions exist. Agricultural sector actions can make important contributions to poverty reduction, food security, dietary diversity, micronutrient sufficiency, and overall nutrition. Agriculture can be made to be more nutrition- and gender-sensitive with a focus on mixed farming systems, biodiversity, climate-smart practices, and access to inputs, training, and technologies for farmers to enable sustainable and healthy rural livelihoods. Ultimately, productivity levels must improve to support the availability of sufficient and nutritious foods

Planning for Economic Growth with Reduced CO 2 Emissions in Provincial China: The Case of Jiangxi

ABSTRACT: Since the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG), primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), has put increasing pressure on the atmosphere's ability to absorb them. China is the fastest growing major economy in the world, and is following a process of rapid industrialization. This process, however, contributes dramatically to global warming through major CO2 emissions. The widespread provision of electricity through coal-fired power plants is just one contributor, but industrial structures, transportation systems, and the construction of large superblock residential towers also play major roles. The large cities and industrialized provinces of China emit the most CO2, a fact that requires serious attention. However, stemming this trend elsewhere in China would provide a greater opportunity for success in reducing overall CO2 emissions in the country. Consequently, the question this paper addresses is what policies can be adopted to reduce CO2 emissions in provinces in China where development is still in its early stages, while maintaining economic growth. Jiangxi is a province that has historically been a major agricultural area. In recent years, however, because of the economic development policies of the Chinese central government, the province's rich mineral deposits, favorable location, and convenient transportation system are attracting more investments and projects for development (Statistical Bureau of Jiangxi, 2010). Jiangxi, then, provides an excellent case study because the province, although developing quickly, might still produce less CO2 if proper growth policies and actions are implemented. According to the results of this research, CO2 emissions would indeed decline in Jiangxi if the province would adopt new technology for electricity generation and increase the GDP role of the service sector. KEYWORDS: Provincial Chinese development, economic growth and global warming, CO2 emissions in China, Chinese industrialization, Chinese power productio

Implications of Global Climate Change for Tourism Flows and Seasonality

Objective: Volcanic eruptions are a serious threat to the environment. In order to assess more accurately the state of a volcanic zone, spatially distributed me­asurements are required. Methodology: An electronic nose (eNose), a quad­copter drone with gas, temperature, and humidity sensors was developed. The drone was assembled with 3D printed parts and tested for properties like structural rigidity. The eNose samples gases, manages a sensor array, acquires data, extracts features, and classifies them with suitable classification algorithms. Results: The eNose drone system provides a versati­le technology for autonomous monitoring of diverse environments. A logarithmic calibration curve was observed for the CO sensor. Conclusions: The implementation of a eNose drone system and its application to the detection and study of gases in volcanic areas would be innovative in Argentina. The system can access remote dangerous areas and is versatile. Different gas sensors like H2S or SO2 can be added.Objetivo: Las erupciones volcánicas son una grave amenaza para el ambiente. La ceniza de un volcán puede contaminar el agua, la vegetación, el ganado y a las personas. Con el fin de evaluar con mayor pre­cisión el estado de la zona volcánica, se requiere la aplicación de mediciones distribuidas espacialmente. Metodología: Se desarrolló una nariz electrónica (eNose) y un dron cuadricóptero con sensores de gas, temperatura y humedad. El dron fue ensambla­do con una estructura realizada con impresora 3D y se comprobó su correcta rigidez. La nariz elec­trónica toma muestra de gases, controla el array de sensores, adquiere datos, extrae características de los datos y clasifica las muestras con los algoritmos correspondientes. Resultados: El sistema de dron eNose provee una tecnología flexible para el monitoreo de diferentes entornos. Para el sensor de gas de CO se observó una curva de calibración logarítmica. Conclusiones: La implementación de un sistema dro­ne eNose y su aplicación a la detección y estudio de gases en áreas volcánicas resultaría innovador en Ar­gentina. El sistema puede acceder a zonas remotas y peligrosas, y es muy flexible. Se pueden agregar dife­rentes sensores de gas como por ejemplo H2S o SO