World Meteorological Day: Kenya calls for global action to mitigate climate-related risks

By Bisola Adeyemo

Kenya has called for global action to address the rising weather and climate-related risks such as floods, forest fires, drought, and heatwaves, as the world celebrates ‘World Meteorological Day’.

Keriako Tobiko, the Kenya cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said this on Wednesday while celebrating World Meteorological Day in Nairobi.

Tobiko observed that the increase in risks associated with climate change and weather-related disasters across the globe requires timely and effective intervention to prevent loss of lives, destruction of property and livelihood of communities and the environment.

“These are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the world as a result of population growth, urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change.” He said.

Tobiko, therefore, urged for global coordination between meteorological, hydrological, and disaster management agencies to cushion citizens from rising climate risks.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “early warning and early action,” which highlights the importance of hydrometeorological and climate information for disaster risk reduction.

World Meteorological Day is celebrated to mark the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization, which was founded on March 23,1950.