Africa Climate Conference 2013 Identifies Four Priority Areas of Research

The ability to identify, understand and respond to the necessary requires in-depth knowledge of the topic at hand; and this is what a lot of 'action plans' are currently missing. Thankfully, at the Africa Climate Conference 2013, it was agreed that the outcome of the conference would be to develop a list of research areas that needs to be focused on the African Climate System and to "bridge the divide between climate science and policy".

From Africa Climate Conference 2013 website

The four priority areas of research are:

• Co-designed multidisciplinary research for improving climate forecast skill and reliability, across different time and spatial scales
• Filling the climate data gap
• Capacity building at all levels
• Mainstreaming climate services into decision making

It can be identified that through addressing these priority areas of research, many aspects that currently lack within responding to climate change and the impacts there of. In my opinion, addresses the need for the multi-disciplinary approach to gather relevant applications (which increases the accuracy) that can assist in forecasting/modeling. The second priority area focuses on enabling platforms that are already available and culminating them into one application through which integrated data analysis can be achieved. The data required will be found within multidisciplinary data sets, then would then be able to feed into an integrated information system and the development of risk profiles.

Capacity building, the third priority area, will seek to link climate knowledge with action - This would be the priority area that can address the matter with which i started this statement regarding 'action plans'. This priority area majorly focuses on skills development and increasing the research pool. However, this item can find ways in linking research centres that are within dispersed locations through establishing common and collaborative focus areas.

Finally, the fourth priority area, aims towards "improved and more effective communications between climate science policy and  to identify end user needs." So, in a nutshell, this priority area will focus on bringing together and creating a platform for dialogue between all stakeholders through which outcomes will be orientated towards the local stakeholders.

Interesting to see these developments withing Africa.

And as always for more information about what was discussed at the Africa Climate Change Conference, please visit the links below:

Africa Climate Conference 2013
Conference Statement

Urban Mobility, Resilient Cities - The focus of World Habitat Day

Just over a week ago, 7th October 2013, World Habitat Day was celebrated. So the rest of you know, it is observed annually on the first Monday of October. The theme for this year was 'Urban Mobility'. Therefore, this day recognized the essential role of mobility as it provides access and connectivity to amenities, goods and services.

Now, we all know that vehicles, anthropogenic activities, and urbanization (especially those activities that takes place in an urban setting) contributes to and is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These factors also impacts on environmental and economic sustainability. However, at the same time - mobility can inverse these impacts through improved mobility and urban design.

Furthermore, through a statement by Joan Clos (ED: UN-HABITAT) stated that:

"..accessible cities encourage a shift towards more sustainable modes of transportation and draw more and more travelers out of cars and onto trains, buses, bike paths, and sidewalks."

True mobility is not only having the ability to access services and amenities through your own will, but also doing so responsibly. As stated above, mobility is also traveling responsibly and sustainably through the transport network provided. 

For more statements and press releases of the day, please follow the links below:

• Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary-General)
• John Ashe (UN General Assembly President)
• UN-HABITAT Press Release
• UN Press Release on 7th October 2013

I would like to encourage each and everyone out there to start thinking about commuting with public transport and that private vehicle use is a luxury enjoyed too often for our own good.