The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva in collaboration with the International Research Centre on El Nino is organizing a three day symposium on Climate Risk Management (CRM) from 10th to 12th October, 2011 in Guayaquil, Ecuador (South America). Dr.GSLHV Prasada Rao, has been invited to participate in the symposium in his capacity as expert in climate variability/change and agriculture, and related risk management issues in the humid tropics. Altogether 20 participants have been invited to participate in the symposium and deliberate on climate risk management across the world. He has been given a time slot of 15 minutes to speak on the above subject to prepare a roadmap in this direction. He is the only scientist representing India. Other participants are mostly from USA, Australia, UK, China, New Zealand and Ecuador with UNDP and NOAA experts along with a few members from developing countries. This symposium is being organized under Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) promoted by the commission for climatology under WMO. The GFCS is designed to mainstream climate science into decision making at all levels and ensure that every country and every climate - sensitive sector of society is well equipped to access and apply relevant climate information, enabling an adjustment of planning and decisions to optimize the given situation. The application of climate services, therefore involves close interaction between all stakeholders including the providers and the users, and requires concerted multi-disciplinary efforts.
Senior experts in the fields of agriculture, water resources, health and disasters, and with global expertise in operation CRM are invited to prepare authoritative discussion papers to address the objectives of the symposium. This will serve as a valuable source of information to WMO members and partners for consideration in designing and implementing operational activities under the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
In this direction, as a part of human resources in climate risk management, an Academy of climate change Education and Research’ has been established by the Kerala Agricultural University to generate skilled graduates and post graduates with intake capacity of 20 Indian nationals. This is the first of its kind in India and Asia with multi-institutional and multi-faculty involvement.
Dr.Rao took his Ph.D from Andhra University, Waltair in climate science in 1980 and did research in Arid and Humid climates of India in relation to climate risk management. His contributions helped to the State Government of Kerala in preparing base paper in Cauvery river water issues and Central Drought Relief Fund. He is a scientist member in the statutory body of the GoK in State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). He is also a member in climate change committee of the State planning board for preparing 12th plan proposals. He was a member in 13th finance committee of the State Government in the field of climate and environment management. He is actively involved in education, research and extension since last three decades in the field of climate science and Tropical Agriculture.
