Africa needs better extreme weather warnings, experts say
Better climate-related research and early warning systems are needed as extreme weather—from cyclones to drought—continues to afflict the African continent, said Sudanese billionaire and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, who heads up his own foundation.
“We don’t have a voice on global climate discussions as we lack strong research capabilities,” Ibrahim told The Associated Press.
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Central and north African regions have been singled out by the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the worst affected by the absence of weather data, which it says leads to significant margins of error in predicting rainfall trends.
This year has seen a severe drought in the Horn and eastern Africa and extreme heat in the northern parts of the continent, while the southern African region has been pummeled by intense cyclones.
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“It is in Africa’s and the world’s interest to invest more in climate research and integrate weather information services for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies,” he said.
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