Sponsored by CMA, co-sponsored by SAFEA, NSFC, START, and hosted by NCC, the Third International Seminar on Climate System and Climate Change (ISCS) was opened on 17 July 2006 in CMA. Approximately 270 officials, experts and students from 40 institutions attended the opening ceremony.

      Dr. Qin Dahe, Administrator of CMA and President of ISCS, made an address in the opening ceremony. Then he presented letter of appointment to the invited teachers, such as Dr. Susan Solomon, Co-chair of IPCC WGI, Dr. Dominique Raynaud, Director of CNRS, Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, Vice President of IPCC and Chair of MIND.

      The global climate change and its impact is a hot issue concerned by all people in the world. The factors who influence climate system change are excessive and very complicated. In order to understand the regulation of climate system change, it is necessary to study on interaction between the layers of climate system, enhance the observation and analysis of all process and mechanism of climate system, and establish coupled climate system modeling of each layer. Dr. Qin Dahe pointed out that, China’s current capability of independent innovation and international cooperation on climate studies do not assort with its position as a large country on meteorology, for the weak study on each layer of climate system and their interaction, lack of scientific support to improve the project ability of climate prediction, and the comprehensive stuff of the scientific and technological team needs to be further improved. Dr. Qin indicated that, we should further realize the advanced international research fruits, strengthen international exchange and cooperation, learn from and introduce advanced international research methods and theorys.

      The seminar will last 12 days, mainly focus on 1) climate effect of atmospheric chemistry and aerosol; 2) bio-chemistry circulation; 3) effect of cryosphere on climate system and climate change; 4) regional climate model and simulation; 5) uncertainty of climate change and relationship between climate and sustainable development. The teaching manner includes special reports, special lectures, group discussion and tutorship, as well as model practice on climate model, climate change and atmospheric chemistry.