UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate
Message from Professor Dr. Fangli Qiao, Director of IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate
Prof. Dr. Fangli Qiao, Director, the Regional Training & Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate
Climate change has emerged as one of the top challenges for modern society. Considerable efforts are being made by the international community at all levels to face and combat this challenge. The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, playing a fundamental role in regulating the global climate system. They have absorbed most of the heat and the green-house gases that have been discharged into the climate system, resulting in a persistent ocean warming, sea level rise, and ocean acidification during the past several decades. Over the time, these absorbed heat and the carbon dioxide will be released back to the atmosphere when the deep water interacts with the atmosphere. This equilibration process is expected to contribute to the global warming by the end of this century. Therefore, the training and research on ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, and the development of numerical modeling systems will improve our understanding of the ocean’s key role in the Earth climate system.
Working on the ocean, we are delighted to note the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) has identified the “mitigation of the impacts and adaptation to climate change and variability” as one of its four High-Level Objectives in the IOC’s medium strategy (2008-2013). I would assure you that the UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate (ODC) will join the effort and commit itself to achieving this objective through enhancing the regional capacity and capability on the research of ocean dynamics, air-sea interaction, climate change, and numerical modeling, by providing an open platform for young scientists to explore ocean and climate sciences, and by establishing a clearing house for the world leading scientists to share their ideas with the society.
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better” (Albert Einstein). ODC will strive to assist young scientists to improve their understanding of the nature and to prepare for the future.
Thank you.
Professor Dr. Fangli Qiao
Director
UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate
also Deputy Director General
First Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China