klimaattoestand

Klimaattoestand is a term used in Dutch-language discourse to describe the current state of the climate system. It typically refers to a concise, often composite assessment that can cover global or regional scales and is intended to reflect how closely the climate system aligns with long-term baselines or thresholds.

A klimaattoestand often combines multiple indicators, such as global mean surface temperature anomalies, atmospheric CO2 concentration, ocean heat content, sea level rise, and patterns of precipitation and extremes. Some assessments also include cryosphere changes and ecological impacts to provide a broader picture.

Measurements rely on observations from satellites and ground-based networks, together with outputs from climate models. Data come from agencies like NASA, NOAA, ECMWF, Copernicus, and WMO. Results are usually updated periodically (annually or per climate cycle) and presented with uncertainty ranges.

Because it is not a standardized metric, the interpretation of a klimaattoestand depends on the chosen indicators, baselines, and time window. It is primarily a communication tool for policy and media, and should be read with attention to methodological caveats.

See also: Climate indicators; Global warming; Climate risk assessment.