Climate conditions have shaped, and will continue to shape, the cultures, traditions and development paths of societies throughout the world. While societies have succeeded in adapting to their regional mean climate conditions, they are, however, still affected by large deviations from the usual regional climate conditions.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (2007), there is amounting evidence of regional and global climate change. These changes will expose societies to climate conditions previously unknown to them, including, among others, high frequencies and intensities of severe weather and extreme climate events.
The World Climate Conference No. 3 is expected to integrate "climate prediction and information for decision-making in support of disaster risk reduction, socio-economic development and initiatives for adaptation".