By Ben Kedoga, NBC Radio, PNG
5 July 2013, Nadi, Fiji - Regional meetings can provide a lot of information and resources on climate change and to network and meet important partners at the regional and international level.
One such program that provides integrated system of climate change services within the region is the Pacific Climate Information System, PaCIS.
The Director of Pacific Regional Climate Change Services, with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US NOAA, John Marra explains, “PaCIS is composed of representatives of regional, national and local institutions and programs in the Pacific, as well as selected individuals from other regions, with experience and expertise in climate observations, science, assessment, education, outreach, users, and services”.
PaCIS was created by the US NOAA through its Pacific Regional Climate Change Services with support from US Aid.
There are approximately 50 members that make up the Steering Committee with broad representation from agencies, institutions, and organizations in the Pacific Island Countries, PICs.
Some of the products and services provided by PaCIS, through several of its programs include among others, the Pacific storm climatology products.
“This product provides access to an integrated suite that outlines patterns and trends of storm frequency and intensity within the Pacific Region”, Marra said.
This is one product that might attract interest from Pacific Island Countries.
However, Marra, when contacted by the SPREP media team, indicated that there is little knowledge of their existence, and the products and programs they have in place.
“I do not believe that it is well known. The 'catalogs' are also something that might be of interest,” he said.
The ‘catalogs’ Marra referred to, is the, Pacific Islands Climate Scenarios, Outlooks, and Climatology Catalogs, where users can search, by region and find a list of relevant products along with a brief summary and a direct link to each.
“Catalogs will be developed for scenarios and climatologies in 2013,” he added.
Source: Scoop Independent News