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Terrestrial Essential Climate Variables for Climate Change Assessment, Mitigation and Adaptation

GTOS 52 - Biennial Report Supplement

Year of publication 2008

Author Climate, Energy and Tenure Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Global Terrestrial Observing System

Series number 1564-9156

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This report reviews the terrestrial Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), which are endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Details are provided on why these observations are needed to understand the causes of climate change, analyse the potential impacts, evaluate the adaptation options and enable characterization of extreme events such as fl oods, droughts and heat waves. It highlights some of the activities being undertaken, the need for the standardization of methods and harmonization of data and the major observational gaps and funding requirements needed to allow countries and international agencies to monitor, implement and report on issues related to climate change.

Language English

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