ENG-2008 — Page 357

The Environment | 289

Climatological Service

The observatory provides climatological information to special users. It also studies climate change and the impact of weather and climate on health. It issues annual forecasts of rainfall and tropical cyclones, as well as, seasonal predictions of temperature and rainfall.

Oceanographic Service

The observatory produces an annual tide table for Hong Kong and provides forecasts of wave and swell for mariners as well as warns the public of possible storm surges and tsunamis. It gives advice on oceanographic matters to government departments and the engineering community.

Geophysical Service

The observatory monitors earthquakes in the vicinity of Hong Kong, and earth tremors around the world. Information on significant tremors is issued through the media and the observatory's website. In response to the disastrous Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan on May 12, it set up a special webpage to provide information about the main shock and aftershocks. The information was also sent to the Hong Kong team carrying out search and rescue operations in Sichuan.

Official Time Standard

The observatory is the official keeper of the Hong Kong Time Standard which is accurate to within fractions of a microsecond per day. It contributes to the determination of Co-ordinated Universal Time. Time checks are available to the public through its Dial-a-Weather System, the internet and local radio stations. The Internet Network Time Service handled more than 600 million checks in 2008, or 33 per cent up on 2007.

Public Education

To promote public awareness of hazardous weather and climate change, the observatory runs an educational programme, consisting of training courses for members of the public and government personnel, exhibitions, scientific lectures, open days and guided tours of the observatory. The observatory's Voluntary Outreach Team on Climate Change gave some 120 talks to schools and organisations in Hong Kong in 2008.

Websites

Environment Bureau: www.enb.gov.hk

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: www.afcd.gov.hk

Civil Engineering and Development Department: www.cedd.gov.hk

Environmental Protection Department: www.epd.gov.hk

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department: www.emsd.gov.hk

Council for Sustainable Development: www.susdev.org.hk

Hong Kong Observatory: www.hko.gov.hk and www.weather.gov.hk