Editorial

Our first feature article in this issue of Tiempo is a discussion by Nick Harvey and Bill Mitchell on the monitoring of sea-level change in Oceania. The authors outline the importance of collecting real information through accurate monitoring of sea-level and coastal change for the successful management of atoll island states.

Hannah Reid presents a framework through which biodiversity issues should be considered in the development of National Adaptation Plans of Action. She summarizes a number of tools and approaches that can be used to effectively and fully integrate the conservation of biodiversity into the Plans of Action.

The Pan-European Sustainable Energy seminar, held in Wales, United Kingdom, in October 2003 is reported on by Gunnar Boye Olesen. The seminar featured discussions on current and planned sustainable energy technology as well as European Union policies on climate and energy.

Joyeeta Gupta and David Weber discuss the initial results of a programme developed in order to promote a global science-policy dialogue on defining and dealing with “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The science-based policy dialogues are aimed at increasing mutual understanding whilst meeting information needs between stakeholders and decision makers.

Lisa Schipper and Richard Sherman present an analysis of the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which was held in Havana, Cuba, in September 2003.

Finally, in this, our 50th issue of Tiempo, the editors comment on progress made in responding to the climate threat since the first issue in 1991.