Over 70 weather presenters from all corners of the world participated in the event, which took place in Paris on 31 March. The workshop explored the findings of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), recent advances in climate research and observation, and the use of climate science by decision-makers in business and government.
WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud, French Minister Annick Girardin and IPCC Working Group I Vice Chair Jean JouzelA growing number of climate change leaders recognize that weather presenters can play an invaluable role in educating the public about the science and risks of climate change. Presenters are natural communicators, have large and dedicated audiences, are generally liked and respected, and know how to explain the weather and the extreme events through which people experience climate change. This is no doubt why the workshop participants were invited by the French Foreign Minister and COP-21* President Laurent Fabius to a reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Quai d’Orsay.
Together with partners such as the UN Foundation, the Government of Denmark, the French Society for Meteorology and Climate, the US-based Climate Central and the IPCC, WMO will continue to support actions by weather presenters to promote the science that underlies the international negotiations that will conclude later this year at COP-21 in Paris.
*2015 Conference of Parties (COP-21) of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December
