Climate observing system remains fragile, needs funding: Experts
A recently held global conference has declared that Climate observing system remains fragile and needs financing for strengthening and sustaining it. Global Climate Observing System (GCOS): It was established in 1992 as an outcome of the Second World Climate Conference. Aim: To ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users. The GCOS is co-sponsored by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Council for Science (ICSU). Functions: GCOS regularly reports on the adequacy of the current climate observing system to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and thereby identifies the needs of the current climate observing system. It helps ensure that the contributing systems, provide the comprehensive information on the global climate system that is required by users, including individuals, national and international organizations, institutions and agencies. The programme promotes the sustained provision and availability of reliable physical, chemical and biological observations and data records for the total climate system - across the atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial domains, including the hydrological cycle, the carbon cycle and the cryosphere.
