BULLETIN OF IMSP - (IMD), Pune

Recommendations of the Indian Meteorological Society Workshop on ClimateChange and Extreme Weather Events, 18-20 April, 2007, New DelhiIMS, New DelhiThe workshop discussed the various facets of climate change, with particularreference to global and regional issues in the Indian context. 13 presentations by eminentexperts covering the three major theme areas viz. Issues related to Climate Change,Indian Monsoon and Climate Change and Climate Change and Extreme WeatherEvents were made. 55 Participants drawn from 12 agencies participated. Recent releaseof two important IPCC assessment reports helped steer discussions on the latest views onthe international science community. Every presentation was followed by Q&A sessionsthat enabled the emergence of views on the nature of research that young scientists couldtake up and also helped in compilation of recommendations on research priorities. Anexclusive session on feedback presentations by participants was a unique feature thatresulted in incorporation of views of the younger researchers in the recommendations.Recommendations emerging out of the two day meeting are listed below:• Importance and need for enhancing the networks of systematic observations wasrecognized. Maintenance of high standards for climate observations andstrengthening of networks for climate monitoring of key elements of physical,biological systems for carrying out regional assessments was identified as a majorthrust area. Standard data bases on climate parameters and related physical andbiological parameters must be created and made available to researchers.• Further research on the regional impacts of aerosols, both direct and indirect effects,and how this forcing changes with time and modulates the global forcing of theGHGs. This of particular importance in understanding climate change effects on themonsoon system.• Current climate change scenarios indicate a decrease in number of rain days and anincrease in heavy rainfall events. Although, such changes will not manifest astrends in total rainfall amount, they will impacts sectors like agriculture and waterresources. Therefore, extensive studies based on archived models results, as well asadditional modeling efforts based on global and regional model runs must beundertaken in a coordinated fashion.• There is an urgent need to encourage young scientists to undertake research inclimate science. It is felt that lack of trained manpower in weather and climatestudies in India is one of the reasons for which not enough modeling studies areundertaken. Hence, IMS may organize more such activities.• Climate change issues are not properly disseminated amongst the nonmeteorologistsin the country. Scientific, policy and mitigation issues can beexplained to the educated youth through more workshops of the type of the currentone. IMS should take strong steps in regard to education and training of the youth.• In order to give proper emphasis to science of weather and climate, IMS may set upIndian Academy of Meteorological Science (IAMS).7