Since its inception 40 years ago, the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) has played a unique role in facilitating the analysis and prediction of the Earth system variability and change. Climate science has evolved substantially since then, through advances in fundamental science and innovation in observations and simulations. Everything from satellites to supercomputers have revolutionized our understanding and prediction of the climate with ever-increasing skill. Climate science now engages many different disciplines towards an integrated Earth system approach.

 

In this Union Session, WCRP, acting as the recognized international voice for climate science, will seek wide community engagement and interaction with partner programmes, research funders and governments in order to observe, understand, simulate and assess Earth’s climate, to maintain a vibrant research portfolio, to enthuse the next generation of science leaders and to ensure that society has access to the best possible science to implement its new Strategic Plan.

• WCRP: World Climate Research Programme -