Global Environment/Climate Observing Systems
Climate change is already having a significant impact on human and natural systems: "The atmosphere and oceans have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have decreased, and the sea level has risen" (IPCC), which causes disruptions in natural and social systems and, consequently, also increasing economic challenges.
Observations of climate systems are key to monitoring, understanding and predicting climate change. Long-term, well-calibrated global observations of essential climate variables (ECVs), such as air temperature, precipitation, and sea surface temperature, are critical to defining the changing state of Earth's climate. Observing systems around the world regularly collect most of the required data covering 49 ECVs.
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was established in 1992 with the aim of providing comprehensive information on the climate system.
NASA's Global Climate Change: Planetary Vital Signs mission is to provide the public with accurate and timely news and information about Earth's changing climate.
"Copernicus: European eyes on the Earth" (Copernicus) is the European Union's Earth observation program.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides information on the past, present and future climate in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
NOAA's Climate Programs provide timely and reliable information about the climate and its changes.
