The critical role of Geospatial Information in climate change

adaption planning for the Mulanje Massif.

......back in 2005........

3 years of maize but....

• Deforestation • Warming Climate• Unpredictable rainfall

Geospatial Information.....

• OS continually updates urban and rural township mapping

• Large scale = lots of information• £100 billion generated in the UK

economy (4% GDP) through investment of £100 million

• In contrast Malawis maps are 45 years old!

Geographic Information System

• A Geographic Information System (GIS) stores data digitally

• Creates new information - explain events, predict outcomes, and plan strategies eg flood protection; crime prevention; climate modelling.

• The major challenges we face in the world today - overpopulation, pollution, deforestation, natural disasters, climate change-have a critical geographic dimension.

Blantyre

Water Resources Management

What information do we have?• Some river flow stations • Geological maps• 45 year old topographic map• Bio-diversity maps

Water Resources Management

What information do we need?• Pipe metadata• Pipe network location • Weather stations• Intake, plateau and base water flow

monitors • 3d topographic maps

How can Scotland help?

• Professional expertise in GIS and mapping

• University expertise in climate modelling and water resource management

• Public (SEPA) expertise in flood monitoring

Ruo

Conclusions

• GI and achievement of successful adaption policies are interlinked

• Reliable and contemporary GI is crucial• Dated and limited GI in Malawi severly

restricts planning• Urgent action required to collect GI• Water IS life in Malawi• IDF must reprioritise water

Jim Rae – Water For All

Integrated Water Resource Management