Personnel being trained in collecting weather and climate data
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation says approximately 150 persons across the island are being trained in operating, collecting and recording data using rain gauges and automatic weather stations.
According to a release from the ministry, the individuals involved are voluntary observers and automatic weather station partners of the Meteorological Service Division (MSJ) and their capacity is being built through a partnership between the MSJ and the Improving Climate Data and Information Management Project (ICDIMP) being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
The ministry said seven training sessions are being held to cater to participants and, so far, two have already been executed. The first session for individuals in St Catherine and Clarendon took place at the Bodles Research and Training Centre in St Catherine on Wednesday, July 19, 2018 and was attended by 19 individuals. The second session was held at Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 and involved 29 individuals from Manchester and St Elizabeth.
“In light of climate change, the use of climate data for decision making in our daily lives and livelihoods has become increasingly significant. Improving the quality and use of this information is therefore key to building resilience and protecting lives. While the project has procured 35 automatic weather stations which have all been installed across the island by the MSJ, we also think that it is important to improve the capacity of the partners and individuals who interact with climate data collection equipment on a daily basis,” said Project Assistant for the ICDIMP, Christena McCarthy.
The ICDIMP aims to improve the quality and use of climate related data and information for effective planning and action at local and national levels, through the strengthening of meteorological observation and data collection systems among other things.
The project is funded by the Climate Investment Funds administered through the World Bank, and is being implemented by the PIOJ and other partners, including the MSJ.
