 Hello then many thanks for keeping us company why in the morning we are talking about the impact of climate change in relation to global warming and today is the world health world meteorological day I'm speaking to Patricia Nyangurashisa climate scientist principle meteorologist at Kenya Meteorological Department Good morning Good morning to you How are you? Fine thank you Historia Koroneina Kupelekaji Naniwa nikoapa sanitized and everything so keeping the required distance so hopefully we can Are you people working from home? Well because we are an essential service we have to provide weather information for shipping for aircrafts we have a router where very few people are in the office Wait did you say aircraft? Yes You come in? Absolutely How? I never knew that Wow so an airplane or a pilot will never take off without weather information like the winds and it's like it's paramount so we have to provide that information so we cannot and we work 24 hours every single day The world always have a perception of you people kazi ni nuktu ambi kutani asha kutani asha kutaku anajua kutaku anajua So you participate We do a lot Alright it's good to know now today we are talking about the world meteorological day and global warming has become the Heat of the stories or issues in our country or in the world at large and we are having problems so maybe you could start by telling us what does the world meteorological day mean and what are you looking for What's the theme actually for this year? Okay so maybe I begin with a little bit of history so it began in 1950 when the world meteorological organization was commissioned So the role of the world meteorological day is to celebrate or rather to look at the impact that the meteorological and hydrological organizations around the world play to ensure safety and security of people within the various nations that they are in This year's theme is climate and water which is very fitting because yesterday was world water day And climate and water are inextricably linked you cannot have one without the other so that's the theme for this year And exactly I will take you both on the climate and the water I'm sure you'll now because you're coming from the same department you will tell me now what's the climate and climate variability and maybe you can tell us the impact of global warming So to contextualize it to Kenya exactly for many years we've had two rainfall seasons in March to May and then October to December And if you ask my grandparents they will tell you March 15th it will start raining and in October mid-October it will start raining But in more recent years we're seeing quite a change from that We have seasons coming either very late or coming very early And so the seasons have become erratic and the number of rain days within each season is continuing to reduce We have more intense storms we have more droughts and this we can all attribute to our changing climate And what would be the contributing factors to all these changes? Well globally pollution human activities that lead to the increase of greenhouse gases within the environment is what is causing the global warming So we have more heat being trapped within the atmosphere and then the global temperature goes, the global average temperature goes higher And then therefore we see a change in the climate Over years, over years I've heard of global warming, global warming, their admissions, their aris What has been done or what is being done? A lot is being done from our perspective especially from the national hydromatrological centers We produce a lot of research into how climate change is affecting various sectors and how pollution is continuing and what we expect in the future And that is the same with the entire global scientific community So we produce that research and then people use our research and apply it into various aspects to either mitigate or adapt to these changes And those who are mitigating their focus is on reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases Which in turn will lead to reduction or rather slowing down the process of warming of the environment And those focused on adaptation look at now that it has changed And these are the things that we are seeing, what do we do now to be able to cope with the current conditions Which are very different from what we are used to So there is a lot of effort that is actually being put in place I appreciate the efforts that are being put in place But also we have companies or industries coming up day in and day out They are there, we will have ideas But of course the emissions will continue How other way can we mitigate these other than the research and everything that has been done Is there anything that can be told of these people because if you want to come up with an industry in a building To have the authorities to approach and what they will tell you Then why do we have continued emissions in our industries? Well, one thing I would say is it would be useful to use renewable energy As opposed to using maybe fossil fuels which is what leads to higher emissions And that's the push Like even in Kenya, I'm not sure if it's enforced but there should be subsidies On probably using solar energy to run industries And that should help because renewable energy does not deplete the arts resources And if you use the sun, the wind and even geothermal power It should be helpful Some countries have measures where they have a coping system for the emissions that you can give And so that gives a bit of a leeway for industries to work within We can emit just up to this much And if we go beyond it then either we have to pay to emit Or you are persecuted, for example But I don't think that has reached most of African countries Yeah, because I wanted to ask you where is Kenya and when will Kenya get there Kenya is doing a lot Okay, I wouldn't call it a problem per se But we are really doing a lot Like the Ministry of Environment The past this year and last year You've seen a lot of triplanting going on And it's very important in the fight against climate change Because trees take away oxygen from the environment And that is, they are called sinks The ocean and the forest are sinks of carbon dioxide So the efforts that the Ministry of Environment has been putting Pushing for more triplanting has been really useful Because it will lead to us capturing a lot of carbon from the environment And then storing it within the plants All right, you have mentioned of the Ministry of Environment So you could say we have the political will Yes, from our Cabinet Secretary He's the one who's been spearheading this All right, now we have heard of the typhoons The cyclone day that was in Africa the other day So what are the extremes to be there From the changes of climate and maybe the weather So how cyclones form is because of intense hitting of the oceans So if we have higher temperatures both on land and in the ocean We can expect more frequent cyclones So the research is still ongoing to see how exactly Climate change or this warming temperatures And warming of the sea surface temperatures Will lead to an increase in these cyclones So that is one thing that we are seeing because of climate change We are also seeing longer periods of drought Like drought have been common in most African countries But it would come and then we would have a nice season thereafter And then we'd be able to balance it out But now we are seeing even continuous years Where you see like three failed seasons And then you have a longer drought So that's a direct impact of climate change And even flooding where we have very intense rainfall In a very short period of time Still an effect of climate change You have talked of flooding and I remember Kenya has been one of the victims very often Like just the other day we had this mud sleds in West Pukot And also we had some hunger strike last year And even in 2018 So working together with the ministry of say agriculture How do you come in? How are you advising the farmers? Because we've seen even we had the locusts the other day And I'm sure they are not going to reveal the two stories of corona They are working from home I've seen that on social media But then how is the MET department coming in advising the farmers And even with their research to the government Or affronting the ideas on what we can do Because the farmers are now confused When should we plan So we're having a problem in terms of food security What has been done or what has been done So as the MET department We instituted a program a couple of years ago Called participatory scenario planning So every the two seasons match the short range and the long range We produce a national focus And then it's disseminated at the national level Then in every county we have county directors And then they take this information And customize it for their counties Using the information they have What economic activities take place there Then they call a meeting with stakeholders So among the stakeholders we have extension officers From ministry of agriculture Together with representatives of farmer groups And then they customize this information And package it in a way That the farmer can be able to use it To decide what activities to do on their farm And also every week they provide a weekly forecast So working closely has enabled us To be able to help these farmers to cope With this very erratic weather Now I'll bring in the question I was told To ask you by my co-presenter Why do you tell us it will rain And then it fails And I will ask you a question back Most people tell us that we say that But where do you get your information from? A media department We trust you people Through what channels? What you will front the medium And maybe what you put on your pages If you are told it will rain Brace yourself for longer rains Then boom, jua The climate change has destroyed Not exactly The biggest problem we have With our users is access to information Like if I ask a random person If they realize our metrologies Will say exactly what you've asked And if I ask them Give me an example of a day Where we said it would rain and it didn't They really don't have an example So it's a stereotype And it's the world over But if you look at our statistics Throughout the past couple of years We were very high hit rate Of we say it will rain and it will rain One of the things That maybe would be a challenge Is forecasting at a point Like Nairobi is really big So if you give a forecast for Nairobi And say it will rain Parts of Nairobi will have rainfall And others will not Which is very common And very normal So if it doesn't rain here You'll say we lied to you But if someone was in downtown And he trains As you will say Nairobi And it's environs Then Nairobi doesn't Then environs does We still got it right still So is it a way to despair The surety Of people will not want you accountable Or it's the truth Not exactly It's the truth plus It's the science of weather forecasting It's probabilistic It's not an exact science It's not I don't know There are sciences that are exact Like someone can tell you You will get this And you will get it But ours is a probabilistic And so we usually give percentages With our forecast So there's a probability Usually a small one That whatever we say will not happen And if it's a bigger probability We also target on our forecasts I would want us to digress Kidogo Now that you tell people It will rain It doesn't rain And then people are bashing Maybe on your pages On social media They are saying Oh to liambua To liambua look at them Is it impact your Workability and performance Not really much Because we understand Our science So we understand That it is probabilistic Like I said So of course It can be discouraging Especially if you are a new meteorologist So probably you are starting to Learn how to interact with the public But because we fully understand That it's a probabilistic science We don't expect it to Exactly It's not a hundred percent It's not exact Alright Now Do you think the public Now if we Bring in the issue of what Do you think the public knows Or they are aware of The importance of managing And protecting our water sources Because the other day We had a problem With people invading maw And other Catchment areas How are you working closely With the minister of forest And the environment To ensure Even the public are aware Of the importance of their water So we really try our best To Raise awareness And we do it mainly on our social media And when we work with Our CS when he goes planting We always accompany them But The greatest on us for this Falls within the water department And a lot of people Sometimes separate the issues In that When they are cutting trees Doing these activities That lead to reduction of water They do not link it to Their lack of water A few months down the line So the main challenge we have Is helping people to see How their actions directly affect them In the future And we do this through social media And even through the world Mayday If not for corona we'd have Big celebration where we invite schools And corporates And then we do presentations We do plays Music That highlight the theme For the year four One meteorological day And then I would ask If you're involving these people Where does the youth come in How are you involving the youth In ensuring we are protecting Our water sources Doing this and that To ensure our climate And our weather pattern Is correct maybe So directly we don't work Directly with them But through some programs We get donors who Want to fund some programs So they involve us And bring the youth together An example I can share is Last year we had a workshop With bloggers on social media And environmental ones And activists And so we talk to them About the science of climate And climate change Just to give them more ammunition When they are doing what they are doing And so we support them For example with data If they need data to present something We also support them with If they need an expert opinion We also work with them So through these donor funded programs We are able to work with youth And disadvantaged communities To be able to equip them To for example disseminate And reach people That ask personally We cannot reach Now speaking of water I was telling my friend Here my colleague We have destroyed our And they ask me In terms of how The water is being Aska sleep And used The little we have Which has not been Of essence in the recent past And actually we have seen The misuse of water in many ways But also speaking of the same What is being done to promote The impact And climate urbanization In terms of low Are we having Lowes that will maybe Help to protect our sources There are And like this the water act And so when those legislators Are coming up with this They consult So both ask from the ministry Everyone from the ministry of environment The meteorological department And the water people So they consult So there is the water act My main And this is very It's personally not on behalf of anyone Is how do we Then trickle it down Because it's an act up there But how do you legislate it At the lower level In my opinion has been a bit of a challenge And maybe it's an area That is open for people To be able to look at How do we legislate such an act And how do we Make sure that then it trickles down To the local person And they are able to see directly How their actions impact them And how making positive decisions Will help them in the future Speaking of the same I have seen a lot of water running You ask me where it ends to I want to tell you We have even the rivers We have the dams We have Every other thing that they will see In and around But we have seen human activity destroyed We have seen people tap it even for irrigation But still we have problems in terms of How we use our waters We have emissions by industries Again to our water sources Do you have awareness on How these waters will affect us And maybe ensuring the Sectors that are involved with the stakeholders Are encouraged to foster towards Low carbon water So I'm sure to some extent There is awareness Like I know of a study Someone did of water Within Nairobi University The quality of the water And it wasn't the best quality Of water So I'm sure the research is there But the actions that may be put in place To correct the wrongs that already exist And to prevent the future ones Is what I'm not exactly Sure about and cannot really comment about What is being done But like you mentioned The quality of water is one of the aspects Of water that is very important Because you might have a lot of water But it's not really useful for us We cannot drink it We cannot use it for our activities And therefore still we suffer loss So there is opportunity again For legislation Or if it already exists Then making sure that people Are here to it Like Nairobi River I hear stories of when it used to be clear But I've never seen it clear It's full of effluents right now Because the same people were complaining We have been dirty water The same people who are dirty fighting Exactly So we are at a point where we are unable To take care of our environment And whatever it calls to have A good environment Now, as you wind up Or want you to tell us This year's theme The things you want to address And the challenges that you've been going through And maybe the solutions you have found Maybe if any And who would you want now To come on board to ensure you have achieved As a department So the theme is climate and water And the slogan is Count every drop because every drop counts Wow Count every drop Because every drop counts The answers of the first part Count every drop Is to encourage us on a personal level To be careful about how we use water And an example would be How do you brush your teeth? Like when you're brushing your teeth Do you let the tap run Throughout the entire two minutes That you're brushing your teeth And that is something we can all do personally Without having someone to come And check for us And make sure or close your water And in the long run We will see a very big difference And the second part Because every drop counts If we waste this water Then in the long run We will not have good quality water For us to be able to use And personally I feel That it is every individual's responsibility Because if we are always looking At what are they doing Or what is he doing And if they are doing nothing Then why should I do anything We are working for the greater It's not for the greater good In the end we will all eventually suffer So we are encouraging people On a personal level Even to make sure That the kind of fuel they use They use it very efficiently To reduce having To take fuel every time As well as the water If you are using water Make it efficient How do you shower How do you brush your teeth How do you wash your dishes Actually you mentioned Of our chosen days Are gone of the pitla clean So we are having this flash So here we lose About 10 liters So I imagine that Kamasai People are home And of course there are things You can't avoid We are humans It's by nature So I'm imagining how much What is being wasted Or is being used for that case Because of this then How I have seen some of the Industries have seen some of the These people coming up With the idea of the Water system Where you have the little amount And then we have the other one So how about the old Buildings Older buildings Yes That don't have those systems Yes Maybe the onas need to Move to that system Up to themselves Exactly Because in the end It works towards reducing Wastage of water I've seen Or we improvise Uneka baketu uneka Kese ni unona ita to Nice photosha Uno ongeta Unita ongeta to Maybe Yeah I was saying I've seen Or rather I've read In some research Or seen on documentary Is how some countries The water that you use To wash your hands Is what goes into The system for flashing So you reuse the water And you still keep it clean So in my opinion I feel that would be A very interesting and Quite useful way To deal with Especially that Flashing water But it's I've seen it In very developed countries So I don't know What the infrastructure Would be like To be able to enable us To put that into place I'm thinking Even the water we use In our kitchen Can be reused Exactly Yeah So it's reused For other purposes That don't require us To either drink it Or cook with it And I've seen People recycle water So it could be An area that could be Explored to enable us To save on water Waste, yeah So how about the challenge That you people Going through and You need and addressed So as At the med department Our main Or what we are currently Working on Is on better communication So as to Help our users Of all levels Be able to understand Our forecasts And what information We put out there Because a lot Is lost in translation So if we And we are working with International organizations The wildlife organizations And train Scientists To be able to communicate In a better way To enable people To understand Exactly what we mean When we say What we say And if we achieve that Then I believe We are on the right path Towards working better With the country Do you think we should Go back to the days Where we would have Of whether segment In our broadcast In our Namely Main streams Yes Should it go back there What happened Bona tulito ka uko? Well With TV And so Airtime is expensive Right You know that Airtime is expensive Yeah So at some point We stopped because One We had us to do that Due to unfortunate Is burned down But When we try to revive it Because airtime is expensive TV station would not give us time Unless we are able to bring Advertisements With it Yeah So that's why maybe Probably we have People who don't know What will happen So you have remained with the people Of airlines They will depend on you Highly And shipping Unless they've been told by the media It'll never happen No, but the farmers We work with them directly So using our county directors In every county We work with them directly There are some sectors That cannot operate Without the weather information And so we have to work with them directly Through other government ministries So because we are all under government It's very easy to work together So we are able to support these other sectors Alright So I'm giving you 30 seconds This is your camera Tell us What you're going out there to do What you expect And So Just in line with the theme For the world metrological day Climate and water It's important to pay attention To the fact that Our use of water really Will affect in the future How the availability of water It might not directly affect us today But the people who are coming The future generations will be affected So if we can be very careful With how we use water It would be very useful And it would be very loving For the generations to come Alright Thank you so much Patricia Thank you for having me Thank you Back home many thanks For keeping us company And you've had Count every drop Because every drop Comes she has been my guest Patricia Nyengiro Climate scientist principle Meteorological department Coming up next will be Valentine With the health Stay tuned Let's hear what she has For us and what we will learn And by the way Keep on sanitizing Because it is important As long as you are indoors You are even safer So keep us company And learn from us My name is Dereva Hilewi We will be seeing you in a few