Govt To Invest More In Weather Office Services
The Government continues to modernise the Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Services with significant capital grants allocated in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 national budgets. Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea, who was the chief guest at the World Meteorological Day celebration at Subrail Park in Labasa, made this comment yesterday. “The best way to adapt to long term climate change is to build resilience to current climate variability,” Mr Vocea said.
“This year’s theme is ‘weatherready, climate-smart’ is to reflect the necessity of more precise weather forecasts, better early warning systems and more co-ordinated actions to prepare us better for the increasing in the intensity and frequency of high impact severe weather, climate and hydrological events. “Weather and climate affects us on a daily basis and one of the top priorities of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) is to protect lives, livelihoods and property from the risks related to weather, climate and hydrological events.
“In this regard, WMO and its members support the global agenda on sustainable development, climate change adaptation and disas- ter risk reduction,” he said.
He also said this was because our growing population faced a wide range of hazards such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, heavy rains, droughts, floods and related events.
“Fijians nowadays want to know how weather and climate patterns are changing so they can protect their homes, committees and business. To meet these demands, we need more research, observations and models to produce timely and accurate forecasts and services to help build a more weather ready and climate smart nation.
“Let me assure you that the Government, through the Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Services, is committed to the people of Fiji in providing services aimed at preventing loss of lives and reduce damage to properties caused by weather, climate hydrological related disasters.
“Also its aim to advance the universal goal of sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change and safeguard the environment and the climate for present and future generations.”
Fiji Meteorological Services director Ravindra Kumar said this was the first time the celebration was held in Labasa.
“The celebration provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the weather, climate and hydrological services to the general public, schools and stakeholders,” Mr Kumar said. “Meteorological awareness is an important aspect of the strategies for ensuring a sustainable future for the nation and the 2018 theme clearly supports that.
“2017 was one of the three warmest years on record, and was the warmest year without an El Niño. “Long-term climate change as a result of greenhouse gas emissions commit our planet to a warmer future, with more extreme weather and water shocks.
“Specifically, we need to prepare for extreme weather, climate and water through better multihazard early warning systems and more co-ordinated responses.
The one-day celebration began with a march from Y-Corner to the main street of Labasa Town and ended at Subrail Park.