The 15th International Seminar on Climate System and Climate Change (ISCS), held by China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and jointly undertaken by National Climate Center (NCC), School of Atmospheric Sciences (SAS) of Nanjing University (NJU) and Chinese Meteorological Society, was commenced on Xianlin Campus, NJU, on 9 July 2018.
Lianchun Song, director of the NCC, presided over the opening ceremony, and academician Dahe Qin, head of the seminar, delivered a speech on behalf of the CMA. He pointed out in his speech that a series of global environmental and development issues, such as climate change, environmental pollution, food security and spread of epidemics, posed serious challenges to the international order and human survival. Since 2004, CMA has successfully held 14 times of ISCS, during which period more and more young students and business backbones have deepened their understanding of the climate system and climate change, accumulated international exchange and cooperation experience, and joined the research team of this issue.
Xiuqun Yang, dean of SAS, mentioned in his speech that this seminar is of great significance to further enhance the research ability in climate system and climate change, to strengthen international cooperation, and to show the international influence of SAS on climate change research. In closing, academician Dahe Qin, head of ISCS, conferred the certificate of specially appointed professor to Professor Han Dolman from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Professor Kalli Furtado from Met Office (the UK's national weather service) who attended the opening ceremony.
Since 2004, more than 80 internationally renowned professors have been invited to give lectures on the seminar, and over 2,100 trainees from domestic research institutes, universities and meteorological departments at all levels have received training. Since 2007, overseas participants from Asian and African countries have been invited to the seminar, which expands its international influence. ISCS has become a platform for the exchange of knowledge, technology and personnel on climate change. This year, 170 participants from home and abroad participated in the seminar, including 135 domestic participants and 35 overseas participants. This current seminar will come to a close on 20 July.