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{
    "id": 1382668,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1382668/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tigania West, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) John K. Mutunga",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "words, what do we need to do to be able to monitor? We need to collect accurate data. If we can get accurate data, then we will understand how climate dynamics present themselves. The dynamics in this particular case are the trends, identifiers of these trends, regional changes and changes in the accompanying vulnerabilities. The other important action is effective modelling – being able to effectively or forecast future weather patterns. The outcome of this is that we are enabled, as a nation, to predict the potential impact and assess possible intervention measures to mitigate that impact. This will guide the development of adaptive measures and other corrective measures. It will enable us to develop mitigation measures for climate change. It will also help us to develop mitigation strategies or policies that will enable us to cope with anticipated climate changes. The other important action is informing the policy itself and the public. The public has a right to information. Article 35(2) of the Constitution says clearly that the public is entitled to information. If this information is kept by the state, the public needs to be given this information. The best way to get accurate information to the public is to predict what might happen in the future. So, remote satellite-backed climate change sensing is very important for us. It will help us to shape government policies for the future. It will help the public to understand what is happening. It will also help us to know what kind of actions need to be taken in the changing circumstances of greenhouse gas emissions. How can climate be monitored? I will take one minute to address this particular issue. Ground-based monitoring of the climate involves looking at what factors change, like temperature, precipitation, pressure, wind and the direction of the wind. Long-term data provides crucial information and insights that help us to recollect historical trends and develop long-term projections that will input into our planning so that we are secure in terms of climate. There are some observations that we can make if we are organised, as a country, in view of satellite-based climate change monitoring, for instance, observation of the ocean. If you go to the ocean, there are certain things that you are able to see. Firstly, you learn that oceans absorb heat. When the ocean gets warm, there is likely to be huge precipitation as water will have evaporated thus forming clouds and it will eventually rain. We will then be able to prepare ourselves in view of getting that information. Secondly, there are sea level changes. An increase in sea level is a result of ice melting in some parts of the world where there are snow-capped mountains. It is evident that at certain times of the year, the number of islands differ. When ice melts, the water sea level rises and submerges some islands leading to a decrease. When sea water evaporates, the water sea level goes down and some islands emerge. The Philippines experiences these scenarios. Satellite monitoring is key as it also captures the orbiting of the Earth. In other words, it captures data across time and space in different parts of the world. As the Earth rotates, we are able to know the parts of the world where we have forests, ice sheets, atmospheric gas concentrations of various nature, and how all these interact with the surroundings. Lastly, I would like to speak to the issue of computer modelling. It is key because it helps us intricate processes in our climate system patterns. We are able to get information through computers. Hon. Temporary Speaker, my time is running out very fast. Please, give me one more minute to address the issue of satellite remote sensing technology and how it works. It is important for the students to understand how it works. Providing this particular multi-system information at the atmosphere, the Earth's surface and the sub-surface of the Earth helps…"
}