admin | January 18, 2016
For people to act in a timely matter in the 21st century, they have come to depend on technology such as satellites to predict the weather. This week’s story from South Africa illustrates the importance of weather stations.
But modern weather technologies can be supplemented by traditional knowledge. In many parts of the world, people still depend on traditional knowledge handed down through generations to help them monitor the changes in their world.
This two-part drama shares information about traditional ways of forecasting drought. Some call traditional early warning signs “old wives’ tales” and rush to discredit them. But farmers in arid regions have ways of reading signs in their environment that successfully predict weather patterns. These signs have helped them make decisions that ensure their food security and survival. With climate change, some of these signs may not be as effective as they once were, but they are still valuable.
You may wish to find out about the traditional indicators for weather and climatic changes which are used in your region as early warnings for impending low rainfall and drought. You can share these with your listeners in creative formats to benefit your audience.
You can read this two-part script here: http://www.farmradio.org/radio-resource-packs/package-75-forecasting-environmental-change/farmers-have-important-knowledge-about-weather-and-environmental-change-part-i-learning-about-local-signs-of-drought/