Author: Francesco Fiondella

Science communication occupies a lot of my brain space, even when I'm not in the office at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, where I oversee communications and media relations. I take lots of photos, too. Find out more about me at FrancescoFiondella.com.

Video: Is Drought In East Africa The New Normal?

by Francesco Fiondella | 5.3.2012 at 11:31pm
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A video interview with climate scientist Bradfield Lyon, who explains his latest research on what’s driving rainfall patterns in parts of East Africa.

Spring Sprang Early: Should We Worry?

by Francesco Fiondella | 4.16.2012 at 12:41pm
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While studies do show that flowers and other plants are blooming earlier on average because of warming trends, this year’s early fireworks were “certainly well within the realm of experience for the species native to this area,” says Robert Naczi of the New York Botanical Garden.

More Food Insecurity Expected in Horn of Africa

by Francesco Fiondella | 4.9.2012 at 9:00am | 1 Comment
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The current rainy season in the Horn of Africa is off to a poor start, and fear of famine once again looms large for the region.

Climate Services: Power in Numbers

by Francesco Fiondella | 3.19.2012 at 1:39pm
Zebiak

Many countries and organizations are already investing in climate services, says IRI’s Steve Zebiak. What has been missing until recently is a central platform for capturing experiences and sharing best practices–enter the Climate Services Partnership.

Climate Services: Bring In Many Perspectives, Early On

by Francesco Fiondella | 3.9.2012 at 11:56am
Guy Brasseur

What’s a “climate service”? Depends on whom you ask, which is why it is crucial to bring as many different perspectives to the table, says Guy Brassuer, head of Germany’s Climate Service Center.

A Model for Improving Climate Services in Africa

by Francesco Fiondella | 3.7.2012 at 8:04am
Michael Norton/IRI

A groundbreaking set of new online climate data maps for Ethiopia gives users free access to 30 years of rainfall and temperature data for the entire country at the click of a button. This is unprecedented anywhere in Africa.

Climate Services: Global Framework

by Francesco Fiondella | 3.6.2012 at 8:00am
Jeremiah Lengoasa

Jerry Lengoasa, Deputy Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization — How do we bridge the gap between those who have the knowledge and those who don’t, those who have the capacity and those who don’t have the capacity, and the capability?

Climate Services: A Private-Sector Perspective

by Francesco Fiondella | 3.1.2012 at 11:04am
Jean-Cristophe Amado

For the private sector, climate services need to be framed in terms of business risks and drivers, says Jean-Cristophe Amado, Risk Manager at Acclimatise North America.

Climate Services: Providers, Users Must Partner

by Francesco Fiondella | 2.28.2012 at 12:44pm
Zhang

The potential of climate services depends on the strength of partnerships between those who provide climate information and those who need it, says Zhang Zuqiang, Deputy Director of China’s National Climate Center.

Climates Services: Must Help Us Understand Risks

by Francesco Fiondella | 2.24.2012 at 11:00am
Carlo Scaramella, WFP

The point is setting priorities right, and for an agency like the World Food Programme, our focus is of course vulnerable people in the most vulnerable countries, countries where climate change is a multiplier of hunger risk. –- WFP’s Carlo Scaramella, in the fifth in a series of video interviews.