Climate Impact Assessment Using the Media in Uganda, A Case of 2002 Second International Conference on Climate Impacts Assessment (SICCIA) June 28-July.

Climate Impact Assessment Using the Media in Uganda, A Case of 2002

Second International Conference on Climate Impacts

Assessment (SICCIA) June 28-July 2, 2004 Grainau, Germany

Mr. Milton Michael WAISWA (Senior Meteorologist) /National Coordinator RANET Uganda

Uganda Department of MeteorologyP. O. Box 7025 Kampala

[email protected]://www.meteo-uganda.net

Location of Uganda in Africa

Agricultural Production Systems

Less vulnerable to climatic extremes

Highly vulnerable to climatic extremes

Brutality of Extreme Climate

Crop failure of a maize garden due to 1999 drought

Crop failure of Cassava garden due to 1999 Drought

Department MeteorologyA government of Uganda Institution with the mandate to observe, monitor and advise on weather and climate issues in the country

As part of its work, Climate forecasts are issued towards the start of a wet season.

Problem

As such a solution is needed

For each wet season the Department is supposed to conduct routine climate impact assessments. However this is not a usual activity due to financial constraints.

Goal of Presentation

Compare approaches in assessing impacts of climate variability and change on a regional scale, including the interpretation and use of seasonal forecasts, and the integration of various disciplinary investigations of climate change.

Methods of Dissemination

Personal Delivery, Post Office

Press Conference, Workshops

Telephone, Fax, websites, emails

Radios, Televisions

News Papers

Monitor, Observer, New Vision

News Paper:New Vision

A daily News Paper

Government News Paper

Has highest circulation

Has news stringers around the country

Highly read by policy makers

Rainfall forecast-Above normal

March-May 2002

There is an increased likelihood of near normal to above normal rainfall over South Western, Western and North Western Uganda

Rainfall forecast- normal

March-May 2002

Over the Central parts there is an enhanced likelihood of near normal rainfall.

Rainfall Forecast –Below normal

March-May 2002 There is an increased likelihood for near normal to below normal rainfall over North Eastern extending to South Eastern Uganda,

March 2nd 2002

March 6th 2002

March 06th 2002

March 8th 2002

Climate impacts to business in urban areas

March 25th 2002

Climate impacts to the health sector

April 1st 2002

April 3rd 2002

April 22nd 2002

Climate impacts to Education Sector

May 9th 2002

Impact of floods to human settlements in Mbale and Sironko Districts

May 10th 2002

May 13th 2002

May 14th 2002

May 21st 2002

Impact of extreme climate to domestic water use in Gulu District

May 22nd 2002

Impact of floods to human settlements in Bugiri Districts

June 4th 2002

Impact of floods to sanitation in Kabale District

June 04th 2002

Impact of floods in Kabale District

June 5th 2002

June 6th 2002

June 06th 2002

June 14th 2002

June 19th 2002

June 20th 2002

June 25th 2002

June 27th 2002

July 15th 2002

August 5th 2002

Drought impacts in Nakapiripirit District

August 05th 2002

August 21st 2002

Climate impact on food crops in Kumi district

August 23rd 2002

August 27th 2002

Lessons: Communication

Communicating climate forecasts is an attractive item in the New Vision Paper

Policy Makers feature dominantly in the news paper communicating the climate forecasts.

End users feature dominantly in the news paper narrating climate impacts.

Lessons: Media Personnel

In addition to meteorologists the Media profession is a potential resource for conducting climate impact assessments.

The Media personnel are also a potential resource to communicate and report climate impacts to policy makers.

Recommendations

Strengthen capacity of journalists in conducting a climate impact assessment.

Enhance multidisciplinary approach of climate impact assessments.JournalistsRadio broadcastersHealth workers

THE END THANK FOR LISTENING