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A key function of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems,
therefore, will be to improve: weather information, forecasting and
warning; our understanding of the Earth’s weather and climate
system; and our ability to predict climate change, as well as to miti-
gate and adapt to climate change and climate variability.
Meeting the needs of the two societal benefit areas of weather and
climate will require: strengthening capacities for observing and
modelling conditions at the local, regional and global levels; improv-
ing weekly, seasonal, inter-annual and decadal forecasts; improving
access to weather and climate data and forecasts, particularly in
developing countries; upgrading emissions data for pollutants and
greenhouse gases; and enhancing collaboration between the obser-
vation, research and user communities.
Achieving these goals poses a major challenge to both the
research community and to GEOSS. Many aspects of the global
climate system are still not fully understood. Because weather and
climate are cross-cutting fields, stronger links are needed between
the researchers specializing in weather or climate and researchers
working on other Earth systems, natural hazards and socio-
economic disciplines. More data from diverse sources (such as
satellites and in situ instruments) needs to be integrated. Models
must be improved. And information that is user friendly and rele-
vant to the decision makers responsible for minimizing the societal,
economic and environmental vulnerabilities of weather events and
climate change, needs to be produced and disseminated more effec-
tively.
The lead organizations in the implementation of the
climate aspects of GEOSS are the World Meteorological
Organization, the United Nations Environment
Programme, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission and the Partnership for Observation of the
Global Oceans. Many of their climate-related activities
are being coordinated through the Global Climate
Observing System, the Global Ocean Observing System
and the World Climate Research Programme.
Water
Improving water resource management through better
understanding of the water cycle will reduce the risks
of water scarcity and of floods and droughts. Freshwater
is vital for life, and ever larger quantities of good-quality
water will be needed for growing human populations
over the coming decades. But today, more than 40 per
cent of the world’s population is faced with water
scarcity. Water scarcity, drought and floods are the
primary disasters threatening life and property.
Water continuously circulates between the atmos-
phere, the oceans and the land. The amount available
for human consumption and for ensuring ecosystem
services is affected by many variables. Unfortunately,
current observation systems are inadequate for moni-
toring long-term changes in the global water system and
S
OCIETAL
B
ENEFIT
A
REAS
Improving the management of energy resources, a trillion-dollar economic sector that includes coal, oil and gas as well as solar, wind and hydropower
resources, is of critical importance to all countries