D I S

Establishment of the IGBP-DIS Office in Toulouse

The IGBP-DIS Office (International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme - Data Information Systems), under the new Directorship of Dr. Gerard Szejwach, is now fully active in Toulouse. The new Office, located in the facilities of METEO-FRANCE, started its activities in January 1996, following an offer from the French Authorities (partnership between METEO-FRANCE, CNES, CNRS/INSU, and the Conseil Régional Midi-Pyrénées) to move the Office from Paris to Toulouse. In addition to the French contribution, IGBP-DIS activities are financially supported by the European Space Agency, NASA, and the European Commission.

The new Director has chosen to accept the French proposal to install the DIS Office in Toulouse in view of the synergism with a number of scientific, educational, and industrial potential partners located in the region, and in particular with MEDIAS-FRANCE. It is expected that the new start of the DIS Office will help a number of scientists involved in IGBP Core Project activities to efficiently secure access to, and exchange of, scientific data, hence allowing a better understanding of climate and global change.