World Meteorological Day 2021-
‘The Ocean, our Climate and Weather.’
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published the following to mark the World Meteorological Day 2021:
"When it comes to the weather and climate, most of us think only about what is happening in the atmosphere. If we ignore the ocean, however, we miss a big piece of the picture.
Covering some 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean is a major driver of the world’s weather and climate. It also plays a central role in climate change. The ocean is also a major driver of the global economy, carrying more than 90% of world trade and sustaining the 40% of humanity that lives within 100 km of the coast. Recognizing this, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and researchers regularly monitor the ocean and how it is changing, modeling how it affects the atmosphere and delivering a wide variety of marine services, including supporting coastal management and Safety of Life at Sea. Today, the growing impacts of climate change are making ocean observations, research and services more critical than ever before.
The World Meteorological Day theme- The ocean, our climate and weather – celebrates WMO’s focus in connecting the ocean, climate and weather within the Earth System. It also marks the starting year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Decade galvanizes efforts to gather ocean science – through innovative and transformative ideas - as the basis of information to support sustainable development. WMO, as the United Nations specialized agency for climate, weather and water, strives to support understanding the inextricable link between ocean, climate and weather. This helps us understand the world in which we live, including the impacts of climate change, and to help Members to strengthen their ability to keep lives and property safe – reducing the risk of disaster – and to maintain viable economies."
Uploaded: 21.15 Hrs SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021.
COMMENTS
There are many countries world-wide which have not invested in equipment, tools and human resources in Weather Management: example Nepal. There are many others which do not disseminate Weather Bulletins, Alerts and Warnings, according to their respective mandate as required by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). One such example is the fact that the forecasters of Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), repeatedly mention that the prevailing cyclone ‘will not affect the island or the regional islands’. Such misleading information causes much concern especially to fishermen, sea farers and operators of the tourism industry. One recent example is that one of the two divers is missing from the St. Francois seaside in Rodrigues since 14 March 2021.
Such release of information also misguides the aviation and shipping departments and ocean trading vessels. There are at least 3 shipwrecks which have occurred in the maritime area around Mauritius in 2016, 2020 and 2021. These unfortunate events have caused oil spills endangering whole shore environment, marine life, livelihood and losses of life.
Besides, seafarers do not appear to have knowledge of the Ocean and Wind Currents which prevail in and around the Mascarene Islands of the Southern Indian Ocean. It is mentioned above ‘The ocean is also a major driver of the global economy, carrying more than 90% of world trade and sustaining the 40% of humanity that lives within 100 km of the coast." It is also known that 2 thirds of world population reside around the periphery of the Indian Ocean landlocked by 4 continents.
Furthermore, the national Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), including private radio stations, do not disseminate Bulletins, Alerts and Warnings correctly. In addition, media of many countries world-wide, including Mauritius, are notoriously noticed to ‘Dissect, Distort, Digress and Delay’ (DDDD) Weather related Bulletins, Alerts and Warnings. The media must be trained regarding Climate, Weather and Hydrology. This was my target when I was conducting my survey, contacts and sensitization Campaign on ‘Disaster Resilience’ with the different Director Generals of the meteorological departments of India and Nepal in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They also appreciated by views and even dsecribed to me other ways in which media disseminate information as mentioned in DDDD.
Keep Watch for more.
PKANHYE. Updated: 22.00 Hrs TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2021.