BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– The Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Moses Vilakati, continues to advocate for climate action.
This morning at the World Meteorological Day Celebrations at Royal Villas in Ezulwini, the above-mentioned Minister highlighted that it was fundamental for Eswatini to be part of climate action- as weather patterns were not national but also global.
In his deliberation, he said their counterparts, world over, were gathered in a similar fashion today at various places to commemorate the World Weather Day.
“This is because we live on an interconnected planet. We share one earth which has one atmosphere. Our weather, climate and water cycle know no national or political boundaries. It is these principles that have been driving the work of the world meteorological community since 1873 and will continue to do so in the future.
“World Meteorological Day 2023 takes place during WMO’s 150th anniversary. Throughout this time, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services have worked around the clock to collect and standardise data which underpin the weather forecasts we now take for granted. The anniversary also serves as a reminder of our changing climate. As a result of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, the average global temperature is now more than 1° Celsius higher today than it was 150 years ago.
“We are witnessing more extreme weather events. Tropical Cyclone Freddy which has been causing havoc in the neighboring Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi is now classified as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in history, having lasted for more than a month since its formation, is a testament to our changing climate. As it weakened, it left over 400 dead in Malawi where it dumped a lot of rain resulting in mudslides and a lot of infrastructural damage,” explained the Minister.
Vilakati further said in Eswatini, as it will be shown in the State of the Climate Report, which would be presented here, temperatures have been rising at a high and accelerating rate since 1981.
“According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2010 to 2019 was the warmest decade since records began 140 years ago. In the Kingdom of Eswatini, three of the warmest years since 1981 occurred in this decade. We need urgent action now to slash emissions and ensure that future generations can both survive and thrive on our planet.
“This year’s theme ‘The future of the weather, climate and water across generations,’ places particular emphasis on the growing need for weather, climate and water forecast information in support of decision-making. Recognising this growing need, the government of the Kingdom, through the Department of Meteorology and with support from our developmental partners is currently developing a framework for climate services,” said the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
He further said this framework would facilitate the co-production of climate services, making climate information user-specific and more relevant.
“The government has also strengthened the weather observation network through the installation of 20 automated weather stations countrywide because data is an anchor to all weather and climate services. We have also acquired state-of-the-art computing facilities that once installed, will enable our meteorologists to run their own dynamic weather and climate prediction models. This will ensure that the country continues to receive world class weather and climate services.
“It will further contribute to the call made by the UN Secretary-General during last year’s World Meteorological Day, to have early warning services for all by 2027. This ladies and gentlemen, could not have been possible, without the support of the UN agencies and our developmental partners. We are grateful for their continued support.”
The Minister said as he co concluded, he wanted to make a clarion call to the youth of Eswatini.
“The future of weather, climate and water, which this year’s theme is talking about, will be experienced by you. I am encouraged by the presence of some of your representatives in this gathering. In as much as all generations are uniting behind the challenge of climate change, you should be at the front of the battle lines, because you are the ones who will bear the brunt of the impact of climate change. You are well positioned to come up with innovative ways to contribute to ensuring that early warning reaches all, and to contribute towards building climate resilience and getting to the 2050 global target of net zero emissions.”
