Living Climate Change Africa Episode 1: Forecasting

11/11/22 • 18 min

In Eastern Africa, fishers and herders have mostly relied on indigenous knowledge and traditional weather forecasters to predict the weather. This can include methods like reading goat intestines, and reading the dust clouds from beating shoes together.

As the climate changes, traditional communities need to understand what is happening to weather patterns to survive and adapt. Scientific forecasting can help – but it must be presented in ways that are understandable and have meaning for the communities.

In this episode, presenter Diana Njeru takes us on a journey to meet pastoralist herders and farmers, as well as representatives from Kenya’s Meteorological Office. She examines traditional beliefs around weather and climate, how these communities are experiencing the impacts of climate change, and how scientists are beginning to work alongside traditional forecasters to build trust and understanding.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Living Climate Change Africa Episode 2: Adaptation

(Content warning: this episode contains mentions of suicide)

Human beings are some of the most adaptable species on Earth – building structures to last centuries, domesticating plants and animals and creating technology to connect us around the world. But we all face a new challenge: adapting to and surviving extreme weather caused by climate change. And this is a huge challenge for poor communities who are most at risk.

This episode, presented by Diana Njeru, explores how people in East Africa are trying to adapt to the rapidly changing climate, and how they are coping when they cannot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.