Why we need to save Africa’s historical climate data

[Climate Innovations Network]

Climate archives in the Gambia. Photo: UNDP

UNDP Digitization Initiative Takes Steps To Preserve Historic Climate Data in Sub-Saharan Africa
By Excellent Hachileka
Climate data is the lifeblood of early warning systems and the cornerstone for resilience building efforts. It not only allows us to monitor adverse impacts across development sectors, populations and ecosystems, but it also helps countries to prepare for and adapt to the realities of climate change.
This priceless information can be analyzed and applied to protect development gains and aid in the achievement of National Adaptation Plan goals.

Unfortunately in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, this important data – often recorded with pen and paper – is being lost at a remarkable rate. Civil War, decay and the sands of time are literally erasing our historical record of climate in the region. In order to preserve this essential data, it is critical that Africa take steps to digitize this information.

At the request of the governments of the Gambia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, the UNDP Programme on Climate Information for Resilient Development in Africa (CIRDA) is taking steps to preserve this data. Two experts – including myself – where commissioned by CIRDA to meet with National Hydrological and Meteorological Services to provide guidance on digitization efforts and create a plan to capture digital records, especially information relevant to agriculture, fishing and flood management.

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