Climate Change Resilience
By Mr. Ueretan Bauro, Editor Te Uekera, Kiribati
Mr. Ueretan Toorua, Kiribati Meteorological Services Director
21 July, 2015, Nuku’alofa, Tonga - Kiribati is one of the three Pacific Island Countries that will benefit from the Upper Air Service Agreement, facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The agreement is between SPREP, the overseer of the utilisation fund and the three countries, Cook Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Kiribati Meteorological Services director, Mr. Ueneta Toorua says the project enables Kiribati to continue using the weather balloon. The cost of operating or releasing one balloon is over US$500.
Kiribati Meteorological Services director, Mr. Ueneta Toorua says the project enables Kiribati to continue using the weather balloon. The cost of operating or releasing one balloon is over US$500.
Mr. Ueretan Toorua, Kiribati Meteorological Services Director“This weather balloon is very critical in our weather forecast because it gives us information of the upper atmosphere – wind speed, temperature, relative humidity to name just a few. Information from the balloon is also very important for flight services and research.”
“Data we collect from the balloon is recorded and sent to the Global Upper Air Network, which Kiribati is also a member of. The data is then disseminated worldwide and used by relevant stakeholders,” Mr. Toorua explained.
He said that operating the Radiosonde Balloon is a very expensive activity and that KMS has been using this equipment since colonial times funded by the United Kingdom.
“We are thankful to the UK for its continued support for this program, and SPREP for looking after the fund which has greatly helped us in our daily forecast.” Toorua said. - #PacMC2015
Mr. Ueretan Bauro is the Editor of Te Uekera Newspaper, Kiribati Broadcasting and Publication Authority.
This article was developed as part of an activity led by SPREP that coordinates a Pacific Media Team of Reporters currently providing coverage on the Third Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga - #PacMC2015. This is supported by a partnership including the Government of Tonga, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).
This article was developed as part of an activity led by SPREP that coordinates a Pacific Media Team of Reporters currently providing coverage on the Third Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga - #PacMC2015. This is supported by a partnership including the Government of Tonga, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).