Project WASCAL

What is the issue?

• Project WASCAL (West Africa Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land) is a regional climate change project.
• It is being sponsored by Germany, to combat climate change in West Africa.
• Recently, the German Research Minister pledged $27.6 million in additional support to this regional project.

What data does the project collect?

• The WASCAL database is the foundation on which our research can be based upon.
• It helps researchers find out, how high the temperature was 5 years ago in a particular region.
• The intensity of solar radiation, the condition of the ground and many other parameters can also be measured.

What conditions are becoming more extreme?

• Only with the knowledge of exactly what climatic conditions prevail, preparations can be made for extreme weather conditions.
• Among other things, WASCAL is working on more precise rain forecasts for farmers.
• It is also working on to find out how much more water will be needed when the climate warms up by two degrees.
• With their relatively weak economies, African countries hardly contribute to climate change.
• However, heat, drought, floods, in short the consequences of climate change, are likely to hit the continent hard.

Who are the climate doctors in action?

• African countries already suffer from extreme climate conditions and are poorly prepared for the consequences of climate change.
• This is why the project includes the training of young scientists.
• 10 doctoral programs and 2 master’s programs have been introduced at several West African universities.
• They already have 250 experts in climate change and water supply, in adapted land use, or climate changae and security.
• These experts now work across West Africa to prepare political and economic players for climate change.

How is training rather than migration?

• The trained climate experts can bring a wealth of knowledge and they are highly looked upon.
• The Research Minister also likes to boost vocational training in the field of climate protection in West Africa in the future.
• The Minister also said that the practical side must come directly from industry, so that the young people are able to connect.
• These things would speed up development in Africa and pressure is not created for a new wave of migration.

What is the fundamental criticism?

• The Germany’s federal government hasn’t understood the drastic nature of the climate crisis.
• Germany’s CO2 emissions are contributing to sub-Saharan Africa’s drought and, the climate change to the slower economic growth.
• They have to start cleaning up their own act and phase out coal.
• With that, Germany would really help the world in the fight against climate change.

Source: The Indian Express