News / National
'Zimbabwe lacks quality early disaster warning systems'
30 Mar 2016 at 23:56hrs | Views
A LOW adaptive capacity and the absence of quality early warning systems have left Zimbabwe vulnerable to natural disasters, a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking at the 19th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-19) mid-term review and update in Harare yesterday, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said meteorological services are a key component in strengthening adaptive and mitigation capacities of countries to make them climate resilient.
This comes as the country is grappling with the effects of El Nino, a weather condition which has resulted in a devastating drought.
"Ladies and gentlemen, climate change is one of the biggest threats facing humankind today. Its impacts and variability are becoming more evident with increased incidences of droughts, floods, hailstorms, more hot days and heat waves.
"Zimbabwe, among other African countries and developing nations, remains vulnerable due to low adaptive capacity and absence of quality early warning systems. Thus meteorological services are a key component in strengthening adaptive and mitigation capacities of countries to make them climate resilient," she said.
She said the country must invest in research and development of early warning systems that are localised in all communities adding that investment in ICTs such as high performance computer systems which "give us data to detect early dangers would help to avert weather related disasters".
The minister said Government was now finalising the development of the National Climate Policy which acknowledges the importance of meteorological services and will enable smooth implementation of the climate change strategies.
"We can avoid the worst effects of climate change with concerted local, national and global effort. Patterns of economic development will need to emphasis on less resource intensive, low carbon economy strategies.
"We need to encourage innovation and investment in cleaner technology that addresses greenhouse gas emissions," she said.
Minister Muchinguri also said the impact of the 2015-16 El Nino "showed its ugly face through the death of over 6 000 cattle while our wildlife was also not spared owing to lack of adequate drinking water and food".
She said what this entails to the SADC was the need to conserve the little water resources available as well as invest in water harvesting technology, maintain existing infrastructure to minimise leakages and promote water recycling.
She said she was going to play her part by channelling more resources towards National Meteorological Services through the Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA) so that SARFOC can be held without fail and encouraged ministers from SADC to do the same.
Speaking at the 19th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-19) mid-term review and update in Harare yesterday, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said meteorological services are a key component in strengthening adaptive and mitigation capacities of countries to make them climate resilient.
This comes as the country is grappling with the effects of El Nino, a weather condition which has resulted in a devastating drought.
"Ladies and gentlemen, climate change is one of the biggest threats facing humankind today. Its impacts and variability are becoming more evident with increased incidences of droughts, floods, hailstorms, more hot days and heat waves.
"Zimbabwe, among other African countries and developing nations, remains vulnerable due to low adaptive capacity and absence of quality early warning systems. Thus meteorological services are a key component in strengthening adaptive and mitigation capacities of countries to make them climate resilient," she said.
She said the country must invest in research and development of early warning systems that are localised in all communities adding that investment in ICTs such as high performance computer systems which "give us data to detect early dangers would help to avert weather related disasters".
The minister said Government was now finalising the development of the National Climate Policy which acknowledges the importance of meteorological services and will enable smooth implementation of the climate change strategies.
"We can avoid the worst effects of climate change with concerted local, national and global effort. Patterns of economic development will need to emphasis on less resource intensive, low carbon economy strategies.
"We need to encourage innovation and investment in cleaner technology that addresses greenhouse gas emissions," she said.
Minister Muchinguri also said the impact of the 2015-16 El Nino "showed its ugly face through the death of over 6 000 cattle while our wildlife was also not spared owing to lack of adequate drinking water and food".
She said what this entails to the SADC was the need to conserve the little water resources available as well as invest in water harvesting technology, maintain existing infrastructure to minimise leakages and promote water recycling.
She said she was going to play her part by channelling more resources towards National Meteorological Services through the Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA) so that SARFOC can be held without fail and encouraged ministers from SADC to do the same.
Source - the herald
