Is Ecuador prepared to confront and reduce the impacts of natural and anthropogenic variations in the climate system?

Abstract

Climate anomalies, both worldwide and in Ecuador, are becoming more frequent and intense, generating negative impacts on society, economy and the environment. Given the possibility of hydrometeorological events, such as an El Niño event, the question arises of whether Ecuador is prepared to face and reduce the impacts of climate change. To answer this, different factors are analyzed, such as the existence of a national policy, institutional capacity to respond, options for professional training and human resources, availability and access to updated data, and economic and technological resources. In general terms, it is concluded that Ecuador does not have an adequate national policy or an institution with sufficient resources and capacity to generate, process and disseminate data and information necessary to make decisions regarding climate change. It is necessary to address the current and structural shortcomings and establish a national policy for the management of meteorology and hydrology that generates options for professional training, a decentralized technical institution with adequate resources, and performs a role of leadership and facilitator of processes around the national policy of meteorology and hydrology.