Stephen Zebiak

Thematic Lead, Climate Services
International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University

Bio

What’s your role at AICCRA and the journey that led you here?   

I oversee a set of activities in support of climate information services development, capacity building, and curriculum development at regional and national levels within AICCRA, and participate in the AICCRA Program Management Committee.

My professional training and early career was in climate research, focusing notably on forecasting of El Nino and associated seasonal climate prediction. For the past 25 years I have been affiliated with the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, an institute that has pioneered in the knowledge and practice of climate services. This experience informs all of the work we do in climate services for AICCRA.

Tell us why you think AICCRA can deliver on a climate-smart future for Africa?  

AICCRA seeks to empower African stakeholders at all levels to better manage climate related risks, and achieve greater climate resilience. Through technology transfer, capacity building, and support of enabling policy for climate information services and climate smart agricultural practices, AICCRA will assist regional and national partners in realizing this outcome. AICCRA additionally will promote education and training initiatives that will enable stakeholders to sustain and build upon CIS and CSA innovations.