Africa’s population is largely left in the dark when it comes to accurate weather forecasts, a situation that has led to costly and sometimes even fatal consequences. This is an issue that the inaugural Africa Climate Summit is aiming to rectify, with plans to make significant investments in climate change adaptation strategies, including improved weather forecasting.
Despite Africa’s vast size, the continent only boasts 37 radar facilities for weather tracking. This is a stark contrast to Europe and North America, which have 345 and 291 radar facilities respectively. This lack of facilities has led to Africa being referred to as a “climate risk blind spot.”
The situation is particularly dire in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than 20% of countries offer reliable weather services. This results in a significant lack of data, which in turn affects critical development decisions and disaster response. The African continent, therefore, remains largely unequipped for climate change due to this inadequate weather forecasting, leaving it relatively vulnerable and unprepared.
This lack of preparedness was a key focus at the first-ever Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA) conference. The conference highlighted the outdated weather prediction equipment and lack of skilled personnel in many African countries. This lack of readiness not only makes these countries more vulnerable to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, but also potentially leads to food and water crises and the displacement of people.
A report released at the CCDA conference underscored the urgent need for greater investment in climate information services. It also highlighted the importance of using accurate weather data in development planning. As Africa grapples with the challenges of climate change, the need for accurate and reliable weather forecasting has never been more critical. It is hoped that through initiatives like the Africa Climate Summit, the continent can start to overcome these challenges and better prepare for the future.
