The Pacific Climate Information System (PaCIS) provides a programmatic framework to bring together ongoing and future climate observations, operational forecasting services and climate projections, research, assessment, data management, outreach, and education - an integrated system of climate services - to address the needs of the Pacific Islands. It provides a forum for sharing the expertise, experience, and perspective needed to guide integrated program planning and product development.

Actionable Information to Support Resilient Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems

Vision

• Resilient and sustainable Pacific communities using climate information to manage risks and support practical decision-making in the context of climate variability and change.

Mission

• Clarify climate information needs to guide climate education, outreach, user information needs, observations, products, services, research and assessment.
• Provide access to critical data, research and new climate information products and services.
• Translate research and assessment results into useful and usable climate information.
• Interpret global and regional climate forecasts and projections for local applications.
• Enhance regional and local capabilities to manage risks and support sustainable development in the context of climate variability and change.
• Enhance collaboration among national, regional and international institutions and programs involved in climate information services.

PaCIS Terms of Reference

PaCIS is composed of representatives of regional, national and local institutions and programs in the Pacific, as well as selected individuals from other regions, with experience and expertise in climate observations, science, assessment, education, outreach, users, and services.

Annex A: Permanent Member Agencies, Institutions, Organization, Programs and Specialties
Annex B: Steering Committee
Annex C: Executive Council
Annex D: Working Group and Focus Area Coordination Team (FACT) Leads

Activities recently completed or currently under way:

• A meeting of the Pacific Climate Information System (PaCIS) Steering Committee that was held in Honolulu in March of 2011. This meeting led to the formulation of a strategic framework and, within this framework, a set of actions that, together, constitute a regionally-integrated program of climate services that further the PaCIS vision
• The Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA), a collaborative effort aimed as assessing the state of climate knowledge, impacts, and adaptive capacity in Hawaii and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.
• Pacific Storms Climatology Products, a developmental website that provides access to an integrated suite of products that delineate patterns and trends of storm frequency and intensity - "storminess" - within the Pacific.
• PacificIslandsClimate.org (a.k.a. 'piko'). This website is a gateway to a broad range of information related to climate in the Pacific Islands. It includes summaries of programs, projects, and activities, as well as products and services.

History of PaCIS
PaCIS Flyer
For more information, contact: John Marra