The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Zephania Ubwani
4 November 2008
Arusha — The minister for Infrastructure Development, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa, has said climate variability is a matter of concern for policy makers in Africa.
He challenged scientists to provide governments with correct data on the changing climate patterns which, according to him, have impacted on socio-economic activities in the EA region.
He stressed that climate information was "an essential ingredient" in mitigating the impact of extreme weather and climate and called for enhanced interaction between climate scientists and the news media.
Dr Kawambwa made the remarks when he opened an international expert review meeting on regional climate outlook at an Arusha hotel.
He said sectors seriously affected by climate variability include agriculture and food security, water resources, disaster management, energy, tourism and health.
The minister told the over 50 scientists attending the meeting that concern on climate change and variability have reached high levels at national and international levels.
"Impact of climate variability have strong implications on seasonal forecasts. We are observing an increasing trend in frequency and severity of tropical cyclones, wreaking havoc across the world," he pointed out.
Floods and drought are also on the increase, he explained at the start of the meeting organised by the Regional Climate Outlook Forums for Africa (RCOF) with the support of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and other international partners.
The first RCOF process was pioneered in Africa in October 1996 at a workshop on reduced climate change-related vulnerability held at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in 1996. The process was later spread worldwide.
Dr Kawambwa said efforts undertaken by RCOF to create mass awareness on climate change was a commendable step which is likely to lead to positive climate impact.
"There is a great need to enhance awareness and capacity to ensure information on climate and forecast is used more effectively in the drawing appropriate socio-economic policies," he noted.
Earlier, the acting director general of the Tanzania Meteorological Agency, Mr Philbert Tibaijuka, said extreme climate changes posed major challenges to meteorological agencies, especially in forecasting methodologies and skills.
He said Tanzania has, during the past rainy season, experienced some unprecedented heavy downfalls, with some stations recording the highest rainfall ever during the past 70 years.
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