ABSTRACT
This chapter describes climate variability and how it can be measured using remote sensing information. It defines climate variability, describes global trends in the temperature record over the past 50 years and describes how these trends are likely to impact temperature. Remote sensing of vegetation is presented as an alternative to precipitation datasets, to ensure comparability and reliability in regions with few weather stations. Analysis of the growing season is presented using vegetation data, and an example of how models assessing variations in growing conditions can be used to estimate national-level food production is presented. Finally, an assessment of the impact of development and agricultural investment on vulnerability to climate variability is used to remind the reader of the effect of resources on outcome.
