Locally managed sensors provide critical "ground-truth" data for southern African agricultural planning
Restoring functioning weather stations is key to protecting communities from famine. Chris Funk, director of the Climate Hazards Center, is helping agencies in Malawi and Zimbabwe fabricate low-cost, 3D-printed weather stations. "Building the capacity to monitor weather locally is key to protecting communities from acute food insecurity," Funk said.
Because the stations are manufactured independently, local meteorological services can repair and sustain them at a fraction of the commercial cost. These sensors, integrated through the Department of Geography, allow nations to monitor rainfall in real time. Timely, trusted observations are essential to informing action ahead of potential floods or dry spells, strengthening long-term humanitarian decision-making. Read the full story on The Current.
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