Guyana continues to strengthen its weather and climate services

In keeping with its mandate to observe, archive and understand Guyana’s weather and climate, the Hydrometeorological arm of the Ministry of Agriculture facilitated the opening ceremony for the National Consultation on Climate Services (NCCS) and National Climate Outlook Forum.

The workshop is scheduled to last three days with persons from various local and international organisations and agencies like the Government Information Agency (GINA),the University of Guyana, Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), etc., giving presentations on various studies relating to weather and climatic conditions.

During his opening remarks, Deputy Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings, stated that “in recent years, hydromet has been seeking to build capacities and establish partnerships with other organisations.”

The forum is intended to encourage participation among persons while gaining knowledge on the development of user driven climate services and the rationale, objectives, key components and implementation priorities of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). It was designed to simplify information on weather and climatic conditions so that it can be easily understood.

During his presentation, Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology CIMH representative, Dr Cédric J. Van Meerbeeck, stated that climate information prepare us for the weather that we will experience and that climate services provide climate information in a way that assists decision making individuals and organisations. “There needs to be collaboration between climate scientist, policy makers and sectoral investors. When information is tailored correctly it is known as an early warning system that can be disseminated through an information chain.”

Dr. Meerbeeck also added that the aim of the GFCS is to improve the usefulness of information to be taken into decision making. “Agriculture feels the impacts of climatic conditions like drought faster than other sectors since agriculture primarily relies on water from the soil where as other sectors mainly utilize water reserves.”

Participants expressed their satisfaction with the dimensions of the presentations, adding that it is important for them to get an understanding of the weather and climatic conditions if they are to go out into the field to conduct relative studies, interact with other colleagues and compile news reports and documentaries.

Guyana is the fifth country in the region to come on board with National NCCSs and NCOFs. Other countries include Dominica, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. The National Consultation on Climate Services and National Climate Outlook Forum is scheduled to continue on May 17^th and 19^th at the Pegasus Hotel.