ARUSHA: THE Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has stated that the country has taken concrete measures to mitigate climate change effects, including investing heavily in an early warning system.
TMA Board Chairperson, Justice Mshibe Bakari made this statement on Monday in Arusha Region during the Outreach Event on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Processes for Eastern Africa.
The event was co-hosted by TMA and the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha.
With the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reporting last year that the world had experienced its warmest conditions on record, Professor Bakari noted that the country has implemented key strategies to counter the effects of climate change.
For instance, about a fortnight ago, the government officially launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, with a budget allocation of 528.9m/-.
This significant move aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response.
“Huge investments have also been made in meteorological infrastructure, including enhancing weather radar networks, Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and capacity building of meteorological experts,” Prof Bakari stated.
“Furthermore, the purchase and installation of weather radars and a modern high-performance computer with a high capacity to process weather and climate data are part of the initiatives,” he added.
According to him, under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government promotes the use of clean cooking energy solutions as a means to adapt to and mitigate climate change, improve public health, advocate for sustainable development goals, conserve the environment and economically empower citizens.
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He emphasised that these initiatives align well with IPCC objectives and reaffirmed TMA’s commitment to delivering world-class early warning services to facilitate early action across various climate-sensitive sectors and the general public.
The board chairperson pointed out that outreach events and awareness campaigns will enable more scientists and experts from East Africa to actively participate in the preparation of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (IPCC AR7).
On his part, TMA’s Acting Director General, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, stated that the objectives of the IPCC outreach event included raising awareness about the IPCC’s role, processes and impact, as well as providing a platform for sharing lessons and best practices in climate change science.
He explained that the IPCC was established by the WMO and UNEP in 1988 to provide the world with the best available science on climate change, covering physical science aspects, vulnerability, impacts, adaptation options and mitigation measures.
“In strengthening inclusivity and enhancing participation from the Global South, particularly East Africa, I urge scientists, experts, practitioners, lecturers and students from developing countries to actively engage in the AR7 process as authors, contributors, reviewers and disseminators of its findings,” Dr Chang’a said.
Professor Maulilio Kipanyula, Vice-Chancellor of NM-AIST, assured participants that the institute is actively engaged in climaterelated research, knowledge dissemination and capacity building.
“Being a research-intensive institution, NM-AIST is ready to play a key role in the IPCC processes, including contributing to the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report cycle and translating its outputs into government climate adaptation and mitigation policies and strategies,” Dr Kipanyula stated.
The Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II, Mr Bart van den Hurk, emphasised IPCC’s and NM-AIST’s commitment to supporting society in making informed decisions to address climate change and its impacts.
“We strongly believe in the need to empower all nations and communities. Climate change is a global phenomenon that does not recognise borders and affects us all,” Mr Hurk said.
