Basic Work

Developed countries have become leaders in conducting convergence research that connects climate information producers and consumers. The Climate Change Research Team conducts research based on climate prediction data that can be used in managing water resources, agriculture, health, and others. The Team serves as a bridge between climate information producers and consumers.

Main Research

The Climate Change Research Team conducts application research (water, agriculture, health, etc.) based on climate prediction data with researchers from various fields. They also perform research on effective delivery, or application methods to bridge the gap between climate prediction information and the application field.

In the water application field, they anticipate flood risks through seasonal prediction data and drought risks through satellite-based data for countries that need seasonal prediction data. In the health field, they perform research on predicting summer heat waves. In the summer of 2015, this prediction data was released for the first time on a trial basis. Recent findings have shown very negative effects of pest infestations on rice production. Therefore, in the agriculture field, the team actively researches mid-to-long term preventative measures for pest infestations.

The Climate Change Research Team is also leading the Pacific Islands support project, a very active APCC project. Through this project, APCC will perform research with the Pacific Islands on various projects and disasters. APCC will also support the utilization of their research results in related projects.

Future Vision

One of the most important missions at APCC is to support countries that are having trouble with performing application research based on climate prediction information due to the lack of technical and human resources. In accordance with that mission, one of the Climate Change Research Team’s main focuses is to lead the agriculture, water resources, and disaster-related application research in the Pacific Island region.

The cooperation project with the government of Tonga is a prime example. Currently, the team is implementing an agriculture cooperation project. Through this, the team supports local farmers by providing guidelines on harvest amounts for each crop based on seasonal prediction information. In regards to water management in Tonga, the team plans to solve the pollution of subterranean water caused by the incursion of seawater.

Developing a climate information utilization technique that can be used in the socio-economic world, is a new concept that has never been attempted before. Application research has difficulties considering the end user from the beginning of the research, and proving usability in actual situations. The Climate Change Research Team provides information for users by remaining sensitive to trends and working on sustainable research that can be maintained even after the project.