Belize Weather Presenter attends International Weather and Climate Forum
Belize was represented recently at the 12th International Weather and Climate Forum for meteorologists,climatologists,sustainable development directors, local authorities and international weather presenters held in Paris,France.Frank Tench, one of Belize’s weather forecasters and TV weather presenters, attended the Forum from March 28th to March 31st,2015.
His participation came through an invitation from the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization(WMO),Michel Jarraud,Rajendra K.Pachauri of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) and Jean Jouzel,President of the French Meteorology and Climate Association(Meteo et Climat).Over 80 weather presenters in attended from sixty countries in Europe,Asia,Africa,North and Latin America.
The Forum targeted weather presenters under the theme “Understanding Climate Change: the IPCC Synthesis Report.” The Forum was divided in two parts (i) a public program and (ii) a professional program. For the international weather presenters the public program started with an evening reception and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Secretary General of the WMO and the President of Meteo et Climat in attendance. On Sunday (March29th) an exhibition at the Paris City Hall Place featured at a video clip of television weather reports from around the world.
The professional program on Monday (March,30th) featured lectures by scientists, economic actors, heads of climate plans, directors of sustainable development and weather presenters under the theme “Education and training for Climate Change.” The publication of a story book for children and adults “Let’s Save our Planet” was another highlight of the professional program. Written by Carole Stora-Calte told the story of Climate Change with images and short paragraphs. The original version, though written in French, will eventually have an English version. The final day of the professional program consisted of a media workshop under the theme “Understanding Climate Change: the IPCC Synthesis Report.” Lecturers included the Secretary General Michel Jarraud and several scientists from the IPCC.Business users from Shell Research Ltd., the World Wildlife International and the duty mayor of Paris also discussed the use the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report for the weather presenters assembled. The program closed later that evening with a closing dinner served in typical French cuisine at the restaurant Quai de Meudon for all participants.
