Commentary ...by Greg Carmichael

I have just returned from my sabbitical, which I spent with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Through this wonderful experience, i was able to increase my appreciation of the international policy and organizational aspects of environmental issues. WMO is actively involved in envriionmental issues such as climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. It serves as the principal scientific arm of the United Nations on these issues. The following paragraphs are a reflection on the activities and role of such organizations.

John Miller, Liisa Jalkanan, and Greg Carmichael, of the World meterological Organization's global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Program, celebrating recent accomplishments. WMO holds the major responsibility for monitoring global changes in the atmospheric environment. Its GAW Program provides long-term monitoring of greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and acid deposition.

While climate change has been the primary international environmental focus in the 1990s, it is not clear for how long or in what form this will continue to be the case. The climate debate has moved away from asking the question, "How big might the future rise in temperature due to anthropogenic activities be?" to asking, "What regional impacts might be anticipated under a human-influenced climate change?" and "What policies can we put in place to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions?" This change in emphasis reflects both a growing scientific consensus that an increase in global temperature in sthe most likely outcome of the rapid and recent increases in greenhouse gas emissions, and the fact that public opinion and awareness have reached a level where actions are deemed necessary.

The shift in focus impacts resources and research priorities. The increased atention to human health considerations of climate change is a good example. This interest is a logical outcome of aholistic evaluation of potential impacts of climate change, and also embodies a concerted effort to articulate the human dimensions of such impacts. The human health angle is growing in recognition and will play a larger role in future climate assessment studies.

I find it interesting that as poicies directed at climate change move forward, governments and international institutions continue to struggle with the division of efforts and funds between climate change issues and other environmental issues. Many studies are indicating that environmental actions and investments focused on climate change issues are receiving a much lower priority than local environmental problems such as air pollution or safe drinking water issues. The question must be asked, do we have our sights on the right target? This is a troubling question because the financial and human resources that can be marshaled for environmental issues are limited. Issues of priority and balance are always present at an institution like WMO, which deals simultaneously with the international climate change research agenda and with requests to help modernize national meteorological services so countries can better forecast and manage next year's monsoonal rains, or the approaching severe storm, or growing air pollution problems.