Rationale
The earth's atmosphere is in a constant flux, yet it is also remarkably predictable. Despite the daily changes in weather, our atmosphere has an overall stability and predictability that is apparent at larger scales of space and over long periods of time. We expect the weather to change, however it is difficult to quantify the changes in climatic conditions that prevail year in and year out. Our subjective impression of a "normal" climate in our locality is only a function of our brief encounter of the weather and that a "change in the weather" is just a result of series of warm summers or wet spells. Hence, our awareness and understanding of the daily fluctuation of the weather constitute the fundamental keys in the appreciation of the threat posed by climate change.
During the past several decades, non-believers of climate change or die-hard skeptics struggle to dispute the results of computer based climate models and even challenged the scientific findings about global warming. But after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) in November 2007 which concluded that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal", humanity shifted its focus on the magnitude of the threat and how best to respond to it, instead of debating over whether the climate is actually warming or whether humans have anything to do with it. The changes that have already been observed in the past 150 years include increased frequency and severity of extreme weather; a change in the duration of seasons including the decline of winter in the Northern Hemisphere; and shifts in the natural world including changes in at least 420 physical processes and biological species or communities (CNN.com Edition, July 30, 2008).
Now is the time to really put our act together. The basic step that any person can take to appreciate and counter these climatic changes is to reestablish connection with the natural world. Any simple act to protect the planet will make a difference. The Fourth PMS Convention aims to document the initiatives of institutions and people who care for preserving the earth. It will bring together sicentists from various disciplines, educators, disaster managers, local government units (LGUs), the media, NGOs to present and share their work in coping or adapting to climate variability and extreme climate events.
Methodology
The convention will be highlighted by paper and poster presentations under the following sub-themes:
- Understanding climate variability and change, forecasts, advisories and outlooks
- Opportunities after a disaster (dealing with atmospheric impacts)
- Academic and NGO intiatives
- Filling the Gaps (weather/climate observation network of LGUs, government and private institutions, etc.)
- Coding the Atmosphere (Numerical weather prediction models that are flexible, versatile, affordable and accurate)
- How to talk about weather, climate variability and change (Bridging social science and meteorology)
- Pooling resources and building bridges - summary
Submission of Abstracts
Authors are invited to submit a two-page abstract preferably in Word or PDF to evtan@hotmail.com or shenry112293@yahoo.com, with the following details:
- Title of paper
- Name of Author(s) - please underline the presenter
- Affiliations
- Mailing or contact address (including Phone, fax, and e-mail)
NOTE: You can also send Abstracts to Fax Nos. 9287731, 9273348/9221992
Important Dates
| Submission of Abstracts: |
01 September to First Week of November 2008 |
| Registration Fee: |
PhP2,500 |
Contacts
Dr. Susan R. Espinueva
President
Telefax Nos. 9273348/9294065/9282754
E-mail: shenry112293@yahoo.com
Mobile No.: +639217384207
Ms. Elena V. Tan
Telefax Nos. 920-4070/9221992
Secretary
E-mail: evtan@hotmail.com
Mobile No.: +639194470080
Ms. Esperenza O. Cayanan
Chairperson, Steering Committee
Telefax Nos. 4348975
E-mail: espie_cayanan@yahoo.com
Mobile No.: +639287082786
For more information, please visit the PMS website.
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