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TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT BUREAU (BDT). ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ITU SYMPOSIUM ON ICT, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACCRA, GHANA 06 TH – 10 TH JULY, 2011 Presented by: Ms. Elizabeth Nzagi Director, Legal Affairs
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TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT BUREAU (BDT) ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ITU SYMPOSIUM ON ICT, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACCRA, GHANA 06TH – 10TH JULY, 2011 Presented by: Ms. Elizabeth Nzagi Director, Legal Affairs Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority , ,
Agenda • The IPCC Projections • Options for Developing Countries • Framework to Combat Climate Change • ICT Contribution to Adaptation • What Can Be Done
The IPCC Projection Climate change is a reality and every human being is affected by it though in different ways.The causes of climate change are known to and efforts are done both at national and international level to respond to climate change. In 2007 the IPCC projected that: • Greenhouse gas emissions could rise by 25 – 90 per cent by 2030 • The Earth could warm by 3°C this century. Even with a temperature rise of 1– 2.5°C the IPCC predict serious effects including reduced crop yields in tropical areas. • Spread of climate sensitive diseases such as malaria, and an increased risk of extinction of 20 – 30 per cent of all plant
The IPCC Projection • By 2020, up to 250 million people in Africa could be exposed to greater risk of water stress. • By 2030 developing countries will require USD 28 – 67 billion in funds to enable adaptation to climate change.
Options for Developing Countries Many options and opportunities to adapt exist such as: • Behaviour change at the individual level, such as reducing water use in times of drought and using insecticide-sprayed mosquito nets. • Early warning systems for extreme events, • Better water management, improved risk management, • Insurance options • Biodiversity conservation. Etc.
FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE • International level – UN Framework Convention oc Climte Change (UNFCC).This convention commits parties to develop national programmes and measures to respond to climate changes. • Measures that can reduce atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases or increase terrestrial storage of carbon • Many countries have ratified the Convention. Tanzania ratified in 1996
FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE (CONT’D) • Through the Ministry responsible for environment Tanzania has put in place a National Action Plan on climate change in 1997-has short,medium and long term.Sets priorities for adaptation • The plan is geared at helping communities and ecosystems to moderate,cope with or take advantage of actual or expected changes in climate change.
FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE (CONT’D) • To assist communities to improve and sustain human and technological capacity for environment.
ICT Contribution to Adaptation • Much as we know ICT networks have adversely contributed to climate change ,they are however the best helper of mankind.ICT systems are used in detecting,monitorin,forecasting ,mitigating effects of climate change ,and inform.ing • The systems include radio base remote sensing –terestrial and satellite , and related telecom infrastructures,mobile radio etc • Mobile communication can be used to warn the public of hurricanes, tsunamis and other dangerous weather events • Satellites areused to disseminate information on different dissasters both man mad and natural • Meteorologists use spetrum to forecast weather,rainfall partens,land degradation and water shortage.
WHAT CAN BE DONE? • Through appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks ICT can pray a pivotal role and contribute to the adaptation on climate change as follows: • Spectrum allocation and management: ensure efficient and effective use of spetrum .Set aside spectrum to be used for emergency and for community services (radio, tv, broadband etc)
WHAT CAN BE DONE? (CONT’D) Licensing requirements: • roll-out obligations on universal service.-easy flow of information on impending dangers due to climate change. • Interconnection obligations –Service providers to interconnect for ubiquitous communication • Quality of service –to ensure good quality of service and its availability • Conditions on environment impact assessment.
FINAL THOUGHT • Universal access to ICT can help people receive • information quickly on impending dangers due to • climate change. • The technology can be used to warn people • through allerts should danger be threatening. • An appropriate ICT policy and regulatory • framework can greatly facilitate climate change • adaptation in developing countries