Lightning has been declared an essential climate variable by the World Meteorological Organization. The relationships between lightning and convection make it a valuable measure of global convective patterns and how convection is changing in our changing climate. Global lightning observations are also crucial to expanding lightning safety education programs around the world. Lightning education efforts have only recently begun in many regions of the world, so reporting on these activities is crucial. In particular, major activities in Africa and Southeast Asia are underway, and are beginning in South America and the Indian Subcontinent.

This session will cover global observations of lightning and how those observations can be used to develop and augment our understanding of lightning climatology, as well as how they can be used to enhance and spread valuable lightning safety awareness and education to those who need it most.