ROLE OF MET SERVICES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND NEED FOR TIMELY
DISSEIMATION,
Compiled by: Wanyama Chebusiri, BBC Reporter, NAIROBI, Kenya
Responsibility of Met Services
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To monitor and predict weather and climate for safety of live and
property for sustainable socio economic development
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To monitor the chemical composition of the atmosphere for environmental
protection and management.
Usefulness of weather and climate information
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All sectors of economies in the region are affected by weather and
climate.
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This is in consideration of the 1984/1985 and 1997/1998 and 2002
floods.
NB.
The economic planners and other policy-making bodies should interact
with the weather forecasters to avert a looming phenomenon instead
of
seeking guidance after the damage is already done.
Early Warning needed in order to avert:
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Famine and nutrition
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Decline of job opportunities (HEP cases)
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Lack of water for human and animal use
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Rural/urban migration (Security). (When people rush to urban
centres for scarce job opportunities, the result would be an increased
cases of crime related activities – after failing to secure their demands)
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To achieve the above effectively, the media should give analytical
information to the public on the economic impact and general development.
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·s weather and climate featured into socio-economic development
policies in the region.
It is very rare – considering the:
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Planning system of cities and urban centres
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The composition of disaster management team - (no weather experts)
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Establishment (citing) of industries
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Building and construction systems (etc)
It should be noted that the policy makers normally seek the experts’ assistance
only after the disaster has occurred and not when coming. (The reverse
should prevent the disaster through early warning).
Public opinion was cited as one of the major limitations for the factoring
of weather and climate in sustainable socio-economic development.
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