1 Introduction
7
3.4 Improve Science and Information
Science and information communications are essential to the ability of communities
and nations in vulnerable water basins and aquifers, in particular, to adequately abate
and adapt to the effects of climate change on water resources (Chaps. 19 and 21). In
order for public information to be effective, it must define and describe the current
state, identify emerging trends, and anticipate potential vulnerabilities and risks. This
requires an appropriate monitoring system, which can deliver necessary information
at the appropriate scale (Chaps. 9, 12 and 17). This system must extend beyond
simply monitoring climate trends, to also monitoring the status of water resource,
to the early detection of trends, and to monitoring relevant environmental variables
and processes related to water and to ecosystem-based climate change adaptation.
Commensurate with the critical role of groundwater in climate change adaptation,
better understanding and coherent, accessible region-wide information sharing on
groundwater resources is necessary (Chap. 6).
Any effective information system incorporates early warning systems, particularly
for floods (Chap. 17). These systems, built upon better forecasting, are a prerequisite for adaptation, particularly for predicting and preventing the effects of floods,
droughts, tropical cyclones and other extreme events, as well as for practical planning purposes such as determining planting dates to coincide with the beginning
of the rainy season, and foreseeing potential disease outbreaks in areas prone to
epidemics. Improved early warning systems and their application will, therefore,
reduce vulnerability to risks associated with climate variability and change.
The development of state-of-the-art monitoring systems is obviously limited by
the financial and human capacity constraints of institutions in Africa. Protocols must
be developed that enable the exchange of information across the continent, enhancing
the understanding of climate change, and facilitating adaptation to climate change
between and within countries.
A particular challenge remains the management of transboundary waters under
increasing stress, complicated by high levels of political instability and conflict
(Chaps. 16 and 19). There are important lessons to be learned across the continent from indigenous approaches for improved water management and adaptation to
climate change (Chap. 20); this illustrates that the ability to respond to changes will
depend on the ability to learn from one another, to share information, and to develop
a body of African experience and knowledge about managing the impacts of climate
change (Chap. 21).
As mentioned previously, a central challenge is the lack of models to predict
climate change at the local level. It is critical that the capacity to model climate
change is enhanced so that management options can be based on scientifically sound
information. Achieving this goal will require increased investments in the science of
climate change, including understanding its impacts, its trends and methods to adapt
and remediate them. One approach may be to create African climate change centres
of excellence that would be charged with developing African capacity and expertise
to tackle challenges related to climate change, regionally as well as locally, to monitor
7
3.4 Improve Science and Information
Science and information communications are essential to the ability of communities
and nations in vulnerable water basins and aquifers, in particular, to adequately abate
and adapt to the effects of climate change on water resources (Chaps. 19 and 21). In
order for public information to be effective, it must define and describe the current
state, identify emerging trends, and anticipate potential vulnerabilities and risks. This
requires an appropriate monitoring system, which can deliver necessary information
at the appropriate scale (Chaps. 9, 12 and 17). This system must extend beyond
simply monitoring climate trends, to also monitoring the status of water resource,
to the early detection of trends, and to monitoring relevant environmental variables
and processes related to water and to ecosystem-based climate change adaptation.
Commensurate with the critical role of groundwater in climate change adaptation,
better understanding and coherent, accessible region-wide information sharing on
groundwater resources is necessary (Chap. 6).
Any effective information system incorporates early warning systems, particularly
for floods (Chap. 17). These systems, built upon better forecasting, are a prerequisite for adaptation, particularly for predicting and preventing the effects of floods,
droughts, tropical cyclones and other extreme events, as well as for practical planning purposes such as determining planting dates to coincide with the beginning
of the rainy season, and foreseeing potential disease outbreaks in areas prone to
epidemics. Improved early warning systems and their application will, therefore,
reduce vulnerability to risks associated with climate variability and change.
The development of state-of-the-art monitoring systems is obviously limited by
the financial and human capacity constraints of institutions in Africa. Protocols must
be developed that enable the exchange of information across the continent, enhancing
the understanding of climate change, and facilitating adaptation to climate change
between and within countries.
A particular challenge remains the management of transboundary waters under
increasing stress, complicated by high levels of political instability and conflict
(Chaps. 16 and 19). There are important lessons to be learned across the continent from indigenous approaches for improved water management and adaptation to
climate change (Chap. 20); this illustrates that the ability to respond to changes will
depend on the ability to learn from one another, to share information, and to develop
a body of African experience and knowledge about managing the impacts of climate
change (Chap. 21).
As mentioned previously, a central challenge is the lack of models to predict
climate change at the local level. It is critical that the capacity to model climate
change is enhanced so that management options can be based on scientifically sound
information. Achieving this goal will require increased investments in the science of
climate change, including understanding its impacts, its trends and methods to adapt
and remediate them. One approach may be to create African climate change centres
of excellence that would be charged with developing African capacity and expertise
to tackle challenges related to climate change, regionally as well as locally, to monitor