Juan Carlos Antuña

Camagüey Lidar Station, Cuban Meteorological Institute

Lidars are one of the most diversified instruments used in atmospheric science. They are valuable tools for monitoring and studies of ozone, aerosol, contaminants and winds to mention the most prominent applications. During more than a decade we have seen the growing of several regional lidar networks. The current effort of the WMO through the Global Atmospheric Watch Program to organize GALION (GAW Aerosol Lidar Observation Network) is a logical and necessary step in the addition of aerosol lidar information to the current flux of meteorological information feeding the regional and national Meteorological Services. Outputs from the GALION meeting held in Hamburg, Germany, in late March 2007 will be described. In that context the lecture will analyze the ongoing effort to create a Lidar Network in Latin America. Progress and difficulties will be discussed. A strategy will be exposed on how to combine national and regional interests of the current and future lidar teams in Latin America. It is based in promoting the combined upgrade of the current lidar sites, the creation of new ones and the increase of applications of the lidar derived measurements both in research and in meteorological services. Several applications of the lidar derived information will be briefly described. Existing options for continuing seeking funding to create the Lidar Network in Latin America will be exposed and discussed. A set of coordinated actions to promote the use of lidar information in the region will be suggested.