, NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 6 – The Kenya Meteorological department has called on the government to improve the observation networks for climate.
The Director of Meteorological Services Joseph Mukabana said improving the systematic observation of meteorological services would help in monitoring and giving advice on climate change which could be useful in national planning.
"We have 36 stations that observe weather 24 hours a day but we want to increase this so that we have at least a station in every district so that we can monitor climate," he said.
"To monitor climate and climate change you need systematic observation," he added.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Deputy Executive Director Marion Cheatle said adaptation measures were crucial in the African continent because 70 percent of the population was directly dependent on Agriculture.
"We know what sort of changes to expect for the continent as a whole, we now need to get better information about where those changes are going to happen, in which places and how quickly and this will provide us with better information to take action, better information to adapt in time to reduce the most serious risks to the people of Africa," she said.
They were speaking ahead of the World Climate Conference (WCC-3) to be held in Geneva in August to discuss ways of strengthening facilities and research on climate prediction and assessments.
The meeting will bring together high level decision makers, scientists, policy-makers and business leaders to initiate a global framework for climate services to boost climate adaptation.
It is expected to come up with key tools to help countries adapt to climate change and also formulate improved observational networks especially for developing countries.
It will enhance user friendly climate predictions and information to better manage climate risks.
The conference will come at a time when there are ongoing intensive negotiations on reducing green house gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
It is organised by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) with United Nations partners.