Climate Change and the Role of Radio Frequency The World Meteorological Organisation Perspective By Zinede Minia Ghana Meteorological Department Omar Baddour & David Thomas World Meteorological Organisation

Climate: a complex system

Climate variability and change For centuries man has tried to change the weather...but he succeeded at changing climate

Towards a seamless transition from weather to climate prediction

WMO Global Observing Systems World Weather Watch - Global Observing System (GOS, 1963), WMO backbone system –Surface & Ocean in situ observing networks –Upper-air networks –Surface remote sensing (Radar) networks –Airborne and observations –Satellite constellations CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

GOS Space-based development CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

87% Total in situ networks March % 66% 81% 59% 79% 48%54% WMO Co-sponsored Global Observing Systems --Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) for Climate IOC, UNEP ， WMO and ICSU 100% 100% Status against JCOMM targets CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

Climate Change New Challenges: Climate Change and severe disaster under this background. Ever-complex society need improved services. Hail&Lightning Avalanches Flash floods Tornadoes Wildland fires & haze Hot & cold spells Heavy precipitations (rain or snow) Droughts Storm surges Storm (winds) River basin flooding Mud & landslides Ice Storms Tropical cyclones Dust storms CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

Increasing Risks under a Changing Climate Intensity Frequency Heatwaves Heavy rainfall / Flood Tropical Cyclones Coastal Marine Hazards Strong Wind Water Resource Management Health Industry Food security Transport Energy Urban areas Hazards’ intensity and frequency are increasing Exposure is increasing ! Need improved Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Better climate risk management CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

2010 ranked globally as the warmest Year on record, the warmest decade with all individual years are amongst the 11 warmest years on record.

Many Extreme weather and climate events occur each year and need to be monitored and predicted to save lives 2010 recorded an extreme heat wave in Russia, major flooding in Pakistan and Australia and part of West Africa

Sea Ice depleting quickly CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010 The Arctic Ocean ice has been there for 2 million years.

CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

1979 CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

2003 CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

World Climate Conference-3 Aug 31 – Sept 4, 2009, GENEVA CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

WCC-3 High-level Declaration (approved on 3 September 2009) DO 1 We, Heads of State and Government, Ministers and Heads of Delegation present at the High-level Segment of the World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3) in Geneva, noting the findings of the Expert Segment of the Conference; OP 1 Decide to establish a Global Framework for Climate Services (hereafter referred to as “the Framework”) to strengthen production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services; OP 2 Request the Secretary-General of WMO to convene within four months of the adoption of the Declaration an intergovernmental meeting of member states of the WMO to approve the terms of reference and to endorse the composition of a task force of high-level, independent advisors to be appointed by the Secretary-General of the WMO with due consideration to expertise, geographical and gender balance; OP 3 Decide that the task force will, after wide consultation with governments, partner organizations and relevant stakeholders, prepare a report, including recommendations on proposed elements of the Framework, to the Secretary- General of WMO within 12 months of the task force being set up. The report should contain findings and proposed next steps for developing and implementing a Framework. In the development of their report, the taskforce will take into account the concepts outlined in the annexed Brief Note; OP 4 Decide further that the report of the task force shall be circulated by the Secretary-General of WMO to Member States of the WMO for consideration at the next WMO Congress in 2011, with a view to the adoption of a Framework and a plan for its implementation; and OP 5 Invite the Secretary-General of WMO to provide the report to relevant organizations, including the UN Secretary- General. Decide to establish a Global Framework for Climate Services CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

19 Components of Global Framework for Climate Services Research & Modeling and Prediction Health Health Agriculture Agriculture Transport Transport Tourism Tourism Water Water Energy Energy Ecosystem Ecosystem SectoralUsers Climate Services Information System User Interface Programme Research & Modeling and Prediction Observations and Monitoring Health Agriculture Transport Tourism Water Energy Ecosystem Users Climate Services Information System User Interface Programme Government Private sector CCl Management Group meeting, Geneva May 2010

Importance of radiocommunications for meteorological operation and research

Radiocommunication Services used for meteorology Specific radiocommunication services: –Meteorological Aids Service –Meteorological-Satellite Service –Earth Exploration-Satellite Service (passive) –Earth Exploration-Satellite Service (active) Joint ITU-WMO Handbook “Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction”, –freely available online

Radiocommunication Services for meteorology As special systems of generic radiocommunication services: –Meteorological weather radars and Wind- profiler radars of the Radiolocation Service As users of Radiocommunication Services: –Fixed Service, Mobile Service, etc.

XVI World Meteorological Congress Maintained Cg XV Resolution 4 that: Highlights the crucial importance of RF bands for meteorological and related environmental operations and research Stresses that some RF bands are a unique natural resource for passive sensing that deserve absolute protection Appeals to ITU and its Administrations to ensure the absolute protection of the passive sensing RF bands, and to give due consideration to the WMO requirements for RF allocations and regulatory provisions Complements ITU Resolutions (WRC-07) –673 “Radiocommunications use for Earth observation applications” –647 “Spectrum management guidelines for emergency and disaster relief radiocommunication

Monitoring the climate is dependant on radio frequency