Climate Change Knowledge for Action

Executive Summary: An opportunity for the World

Climate is a critical factor in the lives and livelihoods of all people and in development as a whole. This report proposes how a global system for the provision of climate services1 can be set up over the next few years that will save lives and protect the jobs and homes of vulnerable people.

On the basis of its work and wide consultations, the High-Level Taskforce believes that the widespread, global use of improved climate services, provided through the Global Framework for Climate Services will provide substantial social and economic benefits. The Framework presents an important, cost effective opportunity to improve wellbeing in all countries through contributions to development, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. A global mobilization of effort and an unprecedented collaboration among institutions across political, functional, and disciplinary boundaries is required and the Taskforce believes that the Global Framework for Climate Services can foster and guide this effort.

While all countries stand to gain from participation in the Framework, the Taskforce believes that it should give priority to climate vulnerable developing countries, particularly African countries, least developed countries, land-locked developing countries and Small Island developing states, where climate services are also often weakest.

Findings of the High Level Taskforce

The Taskforce worked in consultation with all relevant actors to assess the current state of global climate service provision and identify opportunities for improvement, finding that:

• In countries that have effective climate services they greatly contribute to reduced risks and maximized opportunities associated with climate. However, there is a significant gap between the supply of climate services and the needs of users. Present capabilities to provide climate services do not exploit all that we know about climate, fall far short of meeting present and future needs, and are not delivering their full and potential benefits. This is particularly the case in developing and least developed countries, which are also the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change;

• To be useful climate information must be tailored to meet the needs of users. Existing climate services are not well focused on user needs and the level of interaction between providers and users of climate services is inadequate. Users need access to expert advice and support to help them select and properly apply climate information. Climate services often do not reach “the last mile”, to the people who need them most, particularly at the community level in developing and least developed countries;

• To support climate services, high quality observations are required across the entire climate system and of relevant socioeconomic variables. While existing capabilities for climate observation provide a reasonable basis for strengthening climate services, commitment to sustaining high quality observations is inadequate and enhancements to existing networks are required, particularly in developing countries. Further effort is also needed by governments and others to overcome the currently significant restrictions concerning sharing of, and access to climate and other relevant data;

• Effective climate services will depend on maximizing the potential of existing knowledge, new research developments and strong support from and strengthened collaboration between all relevant research communities. Understanding of the climate system is advancing quickly, but is not being effectively translated into services that can inform decision making. In particular, further effort is required to improve our ability to predict climate and help users incorporate its inherent uncertainty into their decision-making;

• Efforts to provide effective climate services globally will only be successful if capacity is systematically built to enable all countries to manage climate risk effectively. Current capacity building activities to support climate services need to be scaled up and better coordinated. A comprehensive capacity building initiative is needed to strengthen existing capabilities in the areas of governance, management, human resources development, leadership, partnership creation, science communication, service delivery and resource mobilization.

Components of the Global Framework for Climate Services

The Taskforce broadly endorses the structure of the Framework, as proposed by the World Climate Conference-3, but with the addition of a capacity building component.

The proposed components of the Framework are as follows:

1. The User Interface Platform will provide a means for users, user representatives, climate researchers and climate service providers to interact, thereby maximizing the usefulness of climate services and helping develop new and improved applications of climate information.

2. The Climate Services Information System is the system needed to protect and distribute climate data and information according to the needs of users and according to the procedures agreed by governments and other data providers.

3. The Observations and Monitoring component will ensure that the climate observations necessary to meet the needs of climate services are generated.

4. The Research, Modeling and Prediction component will assess and promote the needs of climate services within research agendas.

5. The Capacity Building component will support systematic development of the necessary institutions, infrastructure and human resources to provide effective climate services.

Many of the foundational capabilities and infrastructure that make up these components already exist or are being established, but they require coordination and strengthened focus on user needs. The role of the Framework should therefore be to facilitate and strengthen, not to duplicate.

Roles and responsibilities at global, regional and national levels

The Taskforce believes that providing operational climate services should be the focus of the Framework. It should operate at global, regional and national levels, in support of and in collaboration with global, regional and national stakeholders and efforts.

• At the global level, it will focus on producing global climate prediction products, coordinating and supporting data exchange, major capacity building initiatives, and establishing and maintaining standards and protocols;

• At the regional level, it will support multilateral efforts to address regional needs, for example through regional policy development, knowledge and data exchange, infrastructure development, research, training and the provision of services regionally to meet agreed regional requirements;

• At the national level, it will focus on ensuring access to data and knowledge products, tailoring information to user requirements, ensuring effective routine use of information in planning and management along with developing sustainable capacities in these respects.

• Depending on their needs and capacities, users may obtain information from a range of available global, regional and national sources.

Overall implementation objectives of the Framework

The Task force proposes that the five near-term implementation objectives for the Framework be as follows:

• Establishing mechanisms to strengthen the global cooperative system for collecting, processing and exchanging observations and for using climate-related information;

• Designing and implementing a set of projects that target the needs of developing countries, particularly those currently least able to provide climate services;

 • Developing strategies for external communications, resource mobilization and capacity building programmes;

• Establishing internal working methods, particularly for communications and for debating and deciding on implementation priorities, including for the observations, information systems, research and capacity building components;

• Setting targets and establishing procedures for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Framework.

Resourcing the implementation of the Framework

The Taskforce unanimously recommends (Recommendation 1) that the international community makes the commitment to invest on the order of US$ 75 million per year to put in place and sustain the Framework. This investment will build upon existing investments by governments in climate observation systems, research, and information management systems to return to the community benefits across all societal sectors but most importantly, and most immediately, in disaster risk reduction, improved water management, more productive and sustainable agriculture and better health outcomes in the most vulnerable communities in the developing world.

Principles to be adopted in implementing the Framework

To ensure that the Global Framework for Climate Services provides the greatest benefit to those who are most in need of climate services, the Taskforce recommends (Recommendation 2) that the following eight principles are adhered to in its implementation:

Principle 1: All countries will benefit, but priority shall go to building the capacity of climate-vulnerable developing countries

Principle 2: The primary goal of the Framework will be to ensure greater availability of, access to, and use of climate services for all countries

Principle 3: Framework activities will address three geographic domains; global, regional and national

Principle 4: Operational climate services will be the core element of the Framework

Principle 5: Climate information is primarily an international public good provided by governments, which will have a central role in its management through the Framework

Principle 6: The Framework will promote the free and open exchange of climate-relevant observational data while respecting national and international data policies

Principle 7: The role of the Framework will be to facilitate and strengthen, not to duplicate

Principle 8: The Framework will be built through user – provider partnerships that include all stakeholders

Immediate implementation priorities

Capacity building in developing countries

The Taskforce believes that a strategy for building capacity in developing countries will be essential in successful implementation of the Framework. This will include a strong Management Committee for Capacity Building in both governance options proposed for the Framework. A principal near-term strategy for the implementation of the Framework should be designing and implementing a range of projects that target the needs of developing countries. Specifically, the Taskforce proposes the following capacity building projects, to be implemented as soon as possible:

• Linking climate service users and providers. The Taskforce is proposing that the Framework include a User Interface Platform to link climate service providers and users with a view to building the capacity of users to make better use of climate services, collecting user requirements, assisting in the monitoring and evaluation of the Framework and promoting a global understanding of the Framework;

• Building national capacity in developing countries. The Taskforce has found that about 70 countries do not have the necessary basic capabilities to provide sustainable access to climate services. It therefore recommends that a high profile programme of fast-track projects be established to build the necessary capacity of the countries, in accordance with their needs and priorities;

• Strengthening regional climate capabilities. Enhanced regional coordination and technical capabilities will be important to the functioning of the Framework. The Taskforce therefore recommends that a fully effective network of regional centres be established. This will require strengthening existing centres and creating a number of new centres. The roles and activities of regional climate centres will vary according to each region’s specific interests and needs.

Building capacity to implement the User Interface Platform in the developing world A key to the long term success of the

Framework will be its ability to interact with its user community to enable it to properly tailor climate services to meet community needs. The Taskforce urges that new efforts be made to develop the dialogue between providers and users and to focus on developing and implementing measures of the Frameworks success in meeting needs, and using these monitoring results to continuously evaluate and improve the overall performance of the Framework.

Improving climate observations in data sparse areas

Effective climate services rely on the availability of adequate, high quality climate data. The Taskforce proposes that a programme be put in place to address the problem of gaps in the two basic atmospheric global observation systems, the Global Surface Network and the Global Upper Air Network.

Building the capacity of the climate research sector in developing countries

To improve the rate at which research results flow to services, and to improve the quality and relevance of climate services, particularly in the developing world the Task force’s proposal includes a programme of capacity building in the research sector of developing countries.

Approaches to global data policy

The Taskforce believes that barriers to accessing and using existing data sets are a major shortcoming in the provision of climate services. To overcome these barriers, the Task force proposes that existing international deliberative mechanisms, principally within the World Meteorological Organization

System, be used to reach agreement on what essential climate data and products are needed to provide effective climate services and what can be shared in support of the protection of life and property and the well-being of all nations.

Building a sustainable leadership and management capability

Implementation of the Framework will require the establishment of a leadership team that has government ownership and support, as well as support from the United Nations System. This core of leadership and technical expertise that will drive the implementation of all aspects of the Framework in collaboration with existing national and regional capacities should be supported by a small, United Nations-based secretariat.

Developing a detailed implementation plan

This Report of the Taskforce provides a strategic level plan for the implementation of the Framework.

After endorsement of this plan we recommend (Recommendation 3) that the United Nations System-establish, as a matter of urgency, an ad-hoc technical group to develop a detailed implementation plan for the Global Framework for Climate Services based upon the broad strategy outlined in this report, this plan to be endorsed by governments through an intergovernmental process prior to its implementation.

The detailed implementation plan should identify high priority projects to advance the Framework in areas where this would assist in reducing vulnerability to climate change and variability. In addition to the fast-track, capacity building projects, the implementation plan should describe a sustainable programme to underpin the coordination needed to maintain the operational capabilities of the Framework. The implementation plan should set targets to be achieved over the next ten years, further elaborate the roles and responsibilities of components of the Framework that contribute at the global, regional and national levels and of the secretariat that supports it, and include a risk assessment.

Indicators and timelines for implementing the Framework

The Taskforce proposes the following indicators and timelines for implementing the Framework:

• By end 2011. Develop a detailed implementation plan for the Framework that aligns with the decisions of the World Meteorological Organization Congress and incorporates the elements and principles proposed in this report. This plan to be considered at the inaugural, intergovernmental plenary meeting of the Framework’s Board;

• By end 2013. Complete an organization building phase, including establishment of a secretariat to support the Framework and necessary management (technical) and exectutive committee structures. Establish programmes to undertake immediate implementation priorities;

• By end 2017. Facilitate access to improved climate services globally in four priority sectors (agriculture, disaster risk reduction, health and water). Establish active technical committees for each component and an active communications programme.

• Involve at least five United

Nations entities and participate in at least US$ 150 million of climate-related development projects. Completion of a mid-term review of the implementation of the Framework;

• By end 2021. Facilitated access to improved climate services globally across all climate-sensitive sectors. Involve at least eight United Nations entities and participate in at least US$ 250 million of climate-related development projects.

Resourcing the capacity building elements of the Framework’s Implementation

The Taskforce proposes the governments commit to supporting a modest secretariat requiring an investment of around US$ 3 million per annum that will have the role of supporting the leadership and management structures of the Framework. As regards capacity building the Taskforce has proposed the implementation of a range of “fast track” projects aimed at building capacity in the developing world to create and deliver climate services requiring an investment of the order of US$ 75 million per annum. The Taskforce strongly recommends (Recommendation 4) that governments and development assistance agencies give high priority to supporting national capacity building that will allow developing countries to participate in the Framework. Further analysis of national needs is required, but in the meantime we recommend a number of fast track projects as outlined in the Report. To ensure effective national access to global climate information by the largest number of countries, we recommend an initial strategy to strengthen rapidly or create the regional elements of the Framework. These regional elements should be led and hosted by countries of the region based upon regional agreements and should be tasked with supporting information flow and assisting national capacity building at national level.

Governance of the Framework

The Taskforce considered a number of options for governance of the Framework, taking into account the need to ensure the central role of governments, other needs based on the Taskforce’s findings, and common principles, such as efficiency, transparency, accountability, flexibility, equitability and participation. On the basis of these considerations, the Taskforce recommends (Recommendation 5) the following two governance options for the Framework be considered:

• OPTION A – Create a new intergovernmental board within the United Nations System. An Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services would be established to provide leadership and direction for the Framework. It would report to the World Meteorological Organization Congress. The Board would be open to membership of all countries and would meet in plenary session periodically, probably annually. It would develop formal mechanisms to engage the United Nations and other stakeholders in its work. It would elect a chair and a small executive committee to conduct the affairs of the board between sessions as well as designating a number of technical management committees to oversee and contribute to the Framework’s implementation work. These technical committees would work intergovernmental, and, where possible, would be based on relevant existing international committees;

• OPTION B – Develop a joint board within the United Nations, hosted and convened by an existing Agency. A joint board of relevant United Nations System entities (agencies, organizations, programmes, departments and independent funds) would be created to provide leadership and direction for the Framework. The United Nations System joint board would report regularly to the United Nations Chief Executives Board as well as to governments through the plenaries of the sponsoring United Nations agencies and programmes. The joint board would establish an executive committee and five technical management committees to implement and manage the Framework, of the technical committees working intergovernmental. Mechanisms to engage non-United Nations stakeholders in the work of the Board would be developed through both the User Interface Programme and, up to the level desired by governments, through participation in national delegations.

The Taskforce recommends that Option A be adopted and that the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization convene the first intergovernmental plenary meeting of the Global Framework for Climate Services by the end of 2011. The World Meteorological Organization should lead the process and put in place arrangements to ensure full participation of all interested United Nations agencies and programmes.

The Taskforce considers the main advantages of Option A are that the Framework would have a clear and independent realm of responsibility, direct accountability to governments, potentially strong involvement of national technical experts and the independence and high profile that would help secure good access to United Nations system entities and processes. The main advantages of Option B are that it can be implemented quickly and can immediately engage the mechanisms of the United Nations System and the financial requirements for governance and management are likely to be lower.

Introduction: Climate and climate services

Every day individuals, organizations and governments in highly climate-sensitive sectors like disaster reduction, agriculture, health and water make decisions aimed at reducing the risks and taking advantage of the opportunities associated with climate. Society has always had to deal with climate variability, including extreme weather and climate events, but climate change presents new and greater challenges. Many normal activities and decision-making processes assume a continuation of past climatic conditions, but that assumption is no longer valid. To make better decisions that involve climate, households, communities, businesses and governments need to have access to climate information that is suited to their particular needs as well as practical guidance on how they can use it.

Climate services encompass a range of activities that deal with generating and providing information based on past, present and future climate and on its impacts on natural and human systems. Climate services include the use of simple information like historical climate data sets as well as more complex products such as predictions of weather elements on monthly, seasonal or decadal timescales, also making use of climate projections according to different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Included as well are information and support that help the user choose the right product for the decision they need to make and that explain the uncertainty associated with the information offered while advising on how to best use it in the decision-making process.

Examples of the uses of climate services are as follows:

• Climate predictions can be used by farmers to help them decide, for example, which crops to plant or whether to reduce livestock numbers if a drought is forecast. Farmers making such decisions are likely to use climate outlooks of rainfall and temperature and take into account the uncertainty estimates provided with these products;

 • Statistical assessments of the future frequency of extreme weather and climate events can be used by engineers to help them make decisions, including where to invest in disaster mitigation measures such as dams, where to locate buildings, which construction methods to use and how much heating and cooling is needed for critical infrastructure;

 • Seasonal climate forecasts and monitoring of actual temperature and rainfall can be used to provide forecasts of when and where disease outbreaks are likely to occur. The impacts of predicted outbreaks can then be minimized by public awareness campaigns, stocking and shipping medical supplies and vector control programmes such as spraying;

• Climate change projections, which can indicate precipitation patterns in the 30-to-50-year timeframe, can be used to guide major investment decisions relating to long-term water management such as whether and where to build new reservoirs.

Providing effective, needs-based climate services globally requires: (1) mechanisms that allow for user needs to inform the development and provision of climate services and for promoting the demand for climate services where the needs are insufficiently recognized; (2) a physical means of communicating climate information; (3) accurate observations and monitoring of climate and relevant non-climatic variables; (4) an understanding of the climate system and its impacts and how they can be predicted; and (5) sufficient capacity in all parts of the process of climate service development, delivery, evaluation and use to ensure that the benefits of climate knowledge are maximized in all countries.

Box I.1. Some basic climate definitions Climate: Climate is typically defined as the average weather over a period of time. The quantities measured are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation and wind. Climate in a wider sense, on the other hand, is the state of the climate system, including its statistical description. For the purposes of this report we have used the term climate to cover time periods of months or longer. Climate change: Climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change uses a relatively broad definition of climate change that is considered to mean an identifiable and statistical change in the state of the climate that persists for an extended period of time. This change may result from internal processes within the climate system or from external processes. These external processes (or forcing) could be natural, for example volcanoes, or caused by the activities of people, for example emissions of greenhouse gases or changes in land use. Other bodies, notably the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, define climate change slightly differently. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change makes a distinction between climate change that is directly attributable to human activities and climate variability that is attributable to natural causes. For the purposes of this report, either definition may be suitable depending on the context. Climate product: The end result of a process of synthesizing climate science and data. Climate service: Climate information prepared and delivered to meet a user’s needs. Climate variability: Climate variability refers to variations in the mean state and other statistics relating to the climate on all temporal and spatial scales beyond that of individual weather events. Climate can and does vary quite naturally, regardless of any human influence. Natural climate variability arises as a result of natural internal processes within the climate system or because of variations in natural external forcing such as solar activity. Extreme weather and climate events: Extreme events refer to phenomena, such as floods, droughts and storms, that are at the extremes of (or even outside) the historical distribution. Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind velocity and barometric pressure.

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Posted in: climate change,climate knowledge for action

Use of IT in Business

Recent development on information technology (IT) has had a tremendous impact in the field of business. Technology has inspired the re-engineering of traditional business processes to promote more efficient operations and to improve communications with in the entity and between the entity and its customers and suppliers.

These advances, however, have introduced new risks that required unique controls. They have engendered the need that for new techniques for evaluating controls and for gaining assurance on the corporate data and the information systems that produce it.

In the IT environment, this process involves gathering evidence relating to the reliability of computer controls as well as the contents of databases that have been processed by computer programs. Evidence is collected by performing tests of controls, which establish weather internal controls are functioning properly, and substantive tests, which determine whether accounting database fairly reflect the organization's transactions and account balances.

Basic Understanding of Information Technology:

IT is an integral component of business processes. Greater IT knowledge will likely increase the relevance and practicability of the findings and recommendations. Knowledge and understanding of IT can help the businessmen better assess the impact of any identified risks and findings. The businessmen and employees can communicate these in terms that are relevant and understandable to boards of directors, management, and others who may not processes a detailed understanding of technology and its potential impact on the business. The IT knowledge of the employers and employees will assist them in developing relevant and practical recommendation that add value to the business.

Business managers must be comfortable presenting technology related business risks and their potential impact to the board of directors, executive management and other stakeholders. Presenting technology issues in a context ensures that management is better informed and better able to understand the risks, issues, implication and impacts while making technology-related business decisions.

Board of directors need to understand the risks, mitigating initiatives being undertaken and any residual risks when dealing with core business processes. Further, when business strategy is being changed, such as outsourcing, developing major systems or changing technologies, manager will be better able to relate these in business, rather than technical, terms to the boards of directors and senior management.

Relevant Business Knowledge:

IT knowledge encompasses an understanding of the use of technology in providing services to business processes. It also includes knowledge of the business and industry related technological environment, the governing laws and regulations, and the policies and procedures designed to encourage and enforced compliance.

The manager should understand the inter-interactively among the three fundamental components of business knowledge as shown in the figure above: Information Technology, Industry and Business.

Business Use of Technology:

Enterprises adopt and use technology differently. The degree to which they use technology, the business processes supported or led by technology will impact the managers or entrepreneurs approach to an assignment and accordingly the knowledge and skills required.

Business uses technology in one or more of three ways: support enabler and business-centric. Technology used to support business processes is the basic level, and may involve typical financial and administration processes. At the enabler level, the business is using technology to extend business processes to achieve at the business-centric level. The use of technology is an integral and critical component of the entire business.

Terms	Description	Function
Support	IT is used to assist selective business process; however, that processes can easily and effectively be performed manually.	IT supports the business process.
Enabler	IT is used to enable the operation of business process that may be impractical without the use of technology.	IT enables the business to extend the business process.
Business Centric	IT is the business. The business model is conceived around an IT solution.	The business could not operate and would not function without IT.

 Stage in the Business use of technology

By using the above table as a means of classifying the business use of technology, the managers can determine the sophistication of the technology, environment and the knowledge and skills required to conduct an effective business operation.

Controls within the Computer Systems:

Just because the computer did the work does not mean its right. It means, manager cannot rely on information just because it is generated by a computer. We often assure "the information is correct because the computer product it". The computer does only as well as they were told to do and how to do by the programmers. Before concluding that the computer generated information is reliable, the manager must understand the computer-based controls and test those controls that have an impact in the business operation.

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Posted in: business information system,how business uses information system,Information technology,IT,use of it in business,uses of information technology,uses of information technology in business

Ecological Safety and Elderly Health

The long journey of human civilization has given us many lessons for creating valance between nature and human life; many philosophers have shown us the way to happy living; but we humans have failed to cherish their ancient wisdom and doctrines and have gradually become staves of money and machines, believing that these two things are the only means to a happy life.

It is true that these things have brought some temporary good for us, but we the present generation and have started taking them as only way to happy living and failed to apprehend that this is not the permanent way. We have also failed to realize in what condition we are going to hand it over to the next generation. Our greed has taught us to exploit nature to create luxuries for our life without noticing the damage we are doing to nature and the injustice we are doing to our future generation.

The combination of Vedas, Ayurveda, Dhayan, and Yoga transmits a way of living that is healthy, peaceful and harmonious for all creations of nature. There are four Vedas in Hindu mythology, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda and Rig Veda. The Vedas are the ancient natural medical treatment pharmacopeia which is completely based on natural herbs and medical substances.

The three ancient streams of knowledge that explained here are examples of how our ancestors created a way of living harmony with nature, they have demonstrated the interdependence between nature and human life and explained why and how we should protect our ecology.

One of Veda hymns in the forms of prayer of peace seeks ‘Prithivee Shanti’  ( World Peace)  and ‘Banaspataya Shanti’( which means let all the plants of the earth flourish in peace and prosperity in space among all creatures of the earth, among all medicines, in water and land in cities and village, among all castes and creeds).

 A recent research as the factors affectedly health and the wellbeing of humans, carried out by the Research unit on Health and Behaviors change, university of Edinburgh. It defines four key factors for health and wellbeing of humans.

Healthy Conditions and Environment:

Safe physical environment, supportive economic and social conditions, regular supply of nutritious food and water, restricted access to tobacco, and drugs, healthy public policies and organizational practices, provision for meaningful paid employment and affordable housing.

Psycho-social Factors:

Participation in civic activities and social engagement, strong social networks, trust, power and control over life decisions, supportive family structure, positive self-stream

 Effective Health Services:

Provision of preventative services, services, access to culturally appropriate health serices, community participating in planning and delivery of health services.

Health Lifestyles:

Decreased use of tobacco and drugs, regular physical activity, balance nutritional intake, positive mental health, safe sexual activity

The above example of ancient wisdom and modern knowledge has been expressed in different manners. However, the key message from them point towards the same direction ‘living in peace and harmony with nature’ and very balances way to living.

The belief of Daoism that life is generally happy but it should be lived with balance and virtue holds pertinent relevance to the lifestyle of the current era dominantly characterized by the lust of consumerism, declining social and family value system and insatiable greed for power and money. Since the inception of ‘Daoism’ the world has made significant progress in technology and life facilities, but it has failed to nature the balance between achievement and ancient knowledge, wisdom and social value system terms that guide happy living.

The imbalance has increased restlessness, undue competition for scarce resources, and dissatisfactions among individuals despite the modern luxuries of life. The lust of modern lifestyles is significantly contributing to distancing human kind from ‘Nature’ and is largely responsible for all kinds of human induced damage to the ecology.

There is significant interdependence between life of humankind and nature. If we humans continue the process of distancing our life system form nature, it will more damage, we do to the natural environment the more we make the ‘human race’ an endangered species. Therefore, there is urgent need to shift from “separation of human and nature” to “harmony between human and nature”, which is one of the key messages of Daoism. The imbalance between humans and nature worsens the lives of children and elderly people more as they are the most vulnerable groups.

As children and elderly people are most victimized when natural disasters occur, the main themes of this discuss ‘Ecological safety and Elderly safety’. Elderly people are not most vulnerable to ecological damage, but they are also rich sources of wisdom, knowledge and experiences and can strike the balance between human and nature as they have been maintaining that balance in their lifetime. Therefore we need to care for their safety and also take advantage of their experience in keeping balance with nature.

Ecological safety has become an important political and development agenda today. Changing temperatures and climate patterns have put our ecology and bio-diversity at risk. The most vulnerable are agriculture and food security, water resources and energy, forest, public health, urban settlement and infrastructure. The threat of natural disasters caused by environment degradation is increasing by the day. Considering these conditions, the time has come for us to start putting a human face to all aimed at ensuring ecological safety, especially with but not ‘ people for eco-safety’. We need a ‘people centered approach’ to ecological safety which is one of the core principles of Daoism.

In the new race of eco-safety let us fail to cross-examinee our efforts to see if we are not creating more damage to the natural way of living in harmony with nature. Let us connect our efforts to the ancient knowledge and wisdom of happy living and make mother earth a place of living in peace, harmony and tranquility for our future generations.

(This article base on key note speech by H.E. Madhav Kumar Nepal – former Prime Minister of Nepal)

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Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture

The effects of climate change on agriculture are being witnessed all over the world. Small and marginalize farmers with poor coping mechanisms are more vulnerable in view of their dependence on agriculture and excessive pressure on natural resources. In the recent years, there has been significant rise in the frequency of extreme weather events affecting form level productivity and impacting availability of staple food grains since climate change poses complex challenges like multiple a bio-tic stresses on cops and livestock, shortage of water land degradation and loss of biodiversity, focused and long termed research is required to find solutions to the problems.

Increasing population and rising economic growth are putting tremendous pressure on the agriculture sectors to meet the present and future demand for food commodities. Unfortunately, the agriculture sector is confronted with numerous inherited challenges, which include stagnating crop yields and decline profitability mainly due to growing input use inefficient and deteriorating quality & quantity of natural resources. Rising food prices, inconsistent trade policies and deteriorating agro-institution are further aggravating the agrarian crisis. Climate change is further exasperating the agricultural sector. Evidences show that agriculture sectors are more vulnerable to climate change as their risk bearing ability is extremely low. It is, therefore, important to minimize climate impact through available adaptation options.

There is a need to develop in inventory of climate smart agriculture options and assess their technical and financial feasibility at different scales. Since, resources are limited and agro-ecologies and socio-economic conditions are heterogeneous, it is also necessary to prioritize adaptation intervention for higher impacts. The focus needs to pro-poor and risk mitigation options for different agro-ecological and socio-economic environments.

Climate change has emerged as daunting challenge fir the global community. Agriculture sector has been impacted with production declining due to climate change effects such as heavy rainfall, drought, flood and landslides. This has further aggravated problem for hunger. We have faced these problems repeatedly in developing countries. We can never be prosperous without eradicating food crisis, poverty, malnutrition and ultimate address the impact on climate changes. Developed countries must extend their role for their financial and other assistance can go on long ways in helping fight against poverty, food crisis, hunger, climate change and malnutrition.

Rich industrialized countries are more responsible for emission of greenhouse gases. But environmental degradation and climate change have adversely impact countries like third world. Furthermore, developing countries are more affected due to lack of investment and technical capacity to cope with impacts. Glaciers are at risk. As climate change has adversely impacted agriculture, biodiversity, water resources, health, and forestry sectors, employment and livelihood of indigenous people and marginalized communities living in such areas is also at great risk. They are not responsible for this and should not be blamed. But they have to pay in terms of the impacts they have to bear. In this sense, they are heavily penalized. Environmental problems and challenges can be grouped in two categories: natural and man-made. As majority of the problem are related to deforestation, it is necessary to emphasize forest management. Should focused that location-specific and climatic appropriate tree species should be planted and natural for positive impact on the environment to ensure the conservation of species, and as sinks for greenhouse gases so as to increase possibilities of carbon trade, Such as plantation should pay attention to economic benefits and social usefulness.  

A cursory look at the recorded history of human being amply indicates that the growth of population and economic activity has remained fairly stable. The advent of market economy and rapid technological progress altered this pattern dramatically. Technological innovation raised this productivity of both capital and labor. Standard economic growth models places to limits on this process. However, mineral resources and regenerative capacity of forest and other living resources have physical limits. With living resources have physical limits. With expansion of national and global economic activity, the flow of solid waste toxic and radioactive waste and atmospheric emissions pose specific environmental problems that required local, regional and global solution.

In conclusion, climate change does bring opportunities also. Developing countries can look for some inspiration. For example, Costa Rica is using the UNFCCC process of NAMAS (Nationally resilient varieties and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has passed legislation for its carbon farming initiative, which will see farmers rewarded for activities that reduce greenhouse gas emission or sequester carbon. 

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Posted in: climate change agriculture,climate change in agriculture,effects of climate change on agriculture,how climate change affects agriculture

Address the Climate Change Impacts

Climate change is a burning issue and has deservedly been the focus of Global attention as is poses major challenges. Although massive emission of carbon dioxide has created climate change problems; while on other hand deforestation has increased. The pace of afforestation has not kept up.  We should launch large scale plantation campaigns to minimize the effects of climate change and benefits from such initiative. If every household and office planted one tree, the benefits could increase immensely. Likewise, there is need to emphasize roadside plantation as a policy. If we could translation national and international policy into action, it would not only beautify cities but also produce the required oxygen for healthy life.

We should pay adequate attention to the conservation of glaciers, rivers and rivulets as they are in valuable blessing of nature. If climate change continuous at the same pace, their existence will be jeopardized. If this happens, we will face energy crisis in such large scale that aspects of life will be impacted.

In recent years, erosion has taken its toll on glaciers and snow in the mountains is melting at an unprecedented rate. Besides, mountaineering activities have resulted in solid waste pollution. We have to manage this problem. We must allow only bio-degradable goods in the mountains or designate areas for disposing non-biodegradation wastages. We need to pay equal attention to conservation of the Himalayan regions as land degradation is a major problem there due to continuous erosion.

Deforestation and forest degradation are estimated 20 and 25 per cent of the entire world. These are largely the result of human action. Hence, in our common efforts against global warming, there must be some scope for stopping deforestation and forest degradation in order to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emission. Deforestation and forest degradation in most developing countries are the consequences of increasing population and are directly related to livelihood questions. Survival is the foremost of all human interest.

The opportunity cost of foregoing alternative uses of land users will also arise. Therefore, any compensatory mechanism for reduced emission should be based on the idea of providing adequate incentive and encouragement to people to preserve forest and lands while they adopt new livelihood patterns themselves.

Billions of people and other life-forms the Himalayan region will be at great risk as multipurpose projects related  to clean drinking water, irrigation, energy, water, transport, agriculture and tourism are dependent on water resources that originated in the Himalayas.  In addition, the livelihood of Indigenous people dependents upon mountains tourism has also been threatened. Hence, we need to raise very strong collective voices at international forums. Sustainable development goals cannot be attained without environment conservation. Thus, stability population, resources, environment, development and poverty reduction are closely related. Keeping this in mind, we need to promote common efforts to avoid repetition of activities that result in environmental degradation.  

Poor people depend on natural resources. They are the main base4s for socio-economic development and this kind of socio-economic development expert’s pressure on natural resources. As the livelihood of poor people in natural resources dependent their base for survival is threatened as they do not enjoys the fruits of socio-economic development of all the nation should formulate policies and implement policies & brought legislation to promote people’s participation so as to address the common problems and challenges of environmental degradation. The policy has accorded special priority to institutional development up to local level for environmental conservation. Likewise, environmental friendly development programs should be emphasizing. The governments make a policy of involving and promoting participation of local communities, non-governmental sector, private sectors, International Organizations etc., civil society etc. in the management of natural resources and the environment. If helps to make to bring experiences, learning, knowledge, skill and competency in managing environmental resources together.

During recent years, population dynamics, new economic growth, and so rapidly in the region that traditional and balanced adaption mechanisms are losing their efficiency. The vast ice reserve, sometime known as the earth’s third pole is in peril. Accelerated glacial melting and environmental degradation threat the role that mountain region has always played as a water reservoir for one-third of the earth’s population and as an ecological deviator between countries. The once self-sufficient people of mountain region now face dire economic poverty. There is an urgent need to investigate, to develop adaptation and coping mechanisms and to prepare the communities and nations of the region to successfully manage the changes that are taking place so that they can derive maximum benefits from their environment and prosperity in all countries.

Ref.: ICIMOD Publication and from the Book  of " Environment Disaster and Climate Change".

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Posted in: climate change articles,climate change effect,climate change evidence,earth climate change,global climate change facts

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year to all readers, bloggers, scholars, colleagues, SEO Service providers, Webmasters, advertisers and to all global citizens;

New Year may bring peace, prosperity and healthy life.

10 Things you must to do in Year 2013:

1.      Make new plans.

2.      Complete you remaining tasks.

3.      Walks with strategy and plans to achieve your goals.

4.      Update your knowledge.

5.      Upgrade your technical ‘Know How’

6.      Connect with new friends and experts.

7.      Improve your public figures.

8.      Use your Social Media profile actively and regular update.

9.      Keep smile and take precaution to your health.

10. Visit new places and learn cultural diversities. 

 Calender For 2013

2013 Calendar

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Posted in: Happy new year,happy new year 2013,new year wish

The Effects of Climate Change in Mountains

Mountains cover 24% of the Earth’s land surface and host about 13% of the world populations. Mountains are the providers of essential ecosystem services and play the role of water towers to billions of people living in downstream slopes, valley and plain-directly and indirectly. As a source of water flows and river systems, the world’s mountain water-sheds support livelihoods and food security for almost half of the population of them majority of people living in the mountain areas are poor, indigenous and marginalized groups who live in an increasingly  fragile environment, thus making them physically and Socio-economically vulnerable.

The richness and significance of mountain ecosystems in sustaining the earth system, their contribution in development process, the number of goods and services provided including diverse fauna and flora, recreational activities, mineral water, timber and much more. As a consequence the world’s people rely on mountain water to grow food, to produce electricity, to sustain industries and most impo9rtantly, to satisfy water needs. Official statistics reveal that one billion Chinese, Indian and Bangladeshi’s, 250 million people in Africa and the entire population of California are among the 3 billion people who rely on continuous flow of water from the mountains.

Climate change is making our lives increasingly vulnerable. Its impact has widely been felt across the globe in various forms. Experts have confirmed that progressive warming at higher altitude has been three to five times the global average. This rapid warming is evident is our observations of increased snow and glacial melt and the frequency of extreme events such as devastating floods and droughts which have exacerbated problems of hunger and poverty in many mountainous regions. In, particular, women and children have been the most affected victims of its adverse effects.

The IPCC fourth Assessment Report (R4) issued in 2007 had alerted us about the alarming state of global warming and accelerated climate change. Just to recall, it stated that warming of climate system is unequivocal with a tone of greater certainty. It then cites the recent incidents of climate change such as widespread global temperature increase; eleven of last 12 years; that is from 1995 to 2006 being the warmest ever years; more frequent host days and hot nights; increased sea level rise; and decreased snow and ice sheets in various parts of the globe.

Mountains are great sources of energy, food security and biodiversity, providing water system services to the billions of people living both upstream and downstream. They are the humanity blessed with the richness of ethno-cultural diversity and traditional knowledge. They have been rather disproportionately affected by climate change. The impact of climate change on mountains and on the people rely on them for their livelihoods need to be minutely understood and holistically analyzed concrete actions need to be taken to address them. Mountains hold enormous resource potentials and opportunities but also carry a risk of disastrous consequences, if we continue to neglect them. The world has accorded special priority to mountain to Oceans atmosphere, sustainable cities and transportations, but the time has come for the world community to accord similar priority to mountain countries that are especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change and global warming.

Climate change and its impacts have indeed becomes a global issue of paramount. So that the mountainous countries should call for a new path of development that not only better integrates environmental, economic and social issues but also provides for equitable and just development strategies that environmentally clean, green and climate resilient. The irony is that those who are most affected countries have hardly contributed to climate change, yet they are ill-equipped to deal due to their low capacity, poor technology and scarce financial resources. The developed countries that have contributed that most in the destruction of the environment must naturally the greater responsibility in repairing the damage of climate change.

Actions Needed:

Cabinet Meeting in Mt. Everest Base Camp ( Kala Patthar – 5,5542m / 18,192 ft)

 Mountain should be recognized as hotspots of climate and the global changes and policy makers should be motivated to take action, placing emphasis on the conservation of mountain socio-ecological systems and funding research in order to reduce existing knowledge gaps. It is realized that without the support and awareness of civil society, including Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, universities, and other research institution. It will not be possible to achieve resilient mountain social-ecological systems and to respond to the specific needs of communities dwelling in the fragile systems in this time of rapidly changing climate and socio-economic circumstances.

Effective mountain specific policies need to be designed not only at the local or country level but beyond. In many countries, policies currently favor lowland areas and largely ignored the disproportionate vulnerability of mountain social-ecological systems.

Ref.: ICIMOD publications and other research base reports. 

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Posted in: climate change,effects of climate change,effects of climate change in mountain