Storm over new weather bill

Environmental bodies have rained criticism on the proposal to change the law to limit how people share information on severe weather events.

The SA Weather Service Amendment Bill would make the issuing of severe weather or air pollution-related warnings without written permission from the SA Weather Service illegal, with offenders liable to fines of up to R5 million or five years’ jail.

The Department of Environmental Affairs defended the proposed bill, saying that it needed to find a way to police hoax warnings – and mischief-makers causing panic for no reason.

But if it becomes law, objectors say, it could affect not only the ability of private weather forecasters to function, but also air pollution monitoring, satellite observation and even carbon trading.

But South Durban community activist Desmond D’sa said that if the bill was passed, it would be an even bigger problem because many people depended on such information.

“Imagine if there was a huge storm approaching and people did not know which direction it was coming from and went straight in that direction. Even those at sea will be in trouble. If the bill passes, it will be undermining everything we have fought for including our right to information,” he said.

Bobby Peek, director of groundWork, also said organisations such as his released information in the interests of public health and the environment.

“This should be a legitimate, relevant and well-established check and balance for information generated by authorities and particularly by private enterprises. However, the effect of the bill is that, by disclosing such information, these organisations may very well be committing serious offences.”

The bill focuses on air quality is in the form of the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network and the SA Air Quality Information System, both electronic web-based information systems on the country’s air quality.

Peek said groundWork, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance monitored air quality and air pollution by taking samples and sending these for analysis at local or international laboratories.

“These organisations then advise the government or private enterprises that may be responsible for the pollution, as well as members of the public (including through media releases) of the results of such analyses.”

These organisations also disclosed information of this nature from other sources, such as the SA Air Quality Information Service, he said.

Brad Inggs, founder of the African Space Institute (ASI), said his organisation would submit an objection to the bill, and to the fine mentioned in particular, as it hindered innovation, growth, and knowledge distribution.

“The way they are going about it is very disturbing and it doesn’t look like the weather service has looked enough into the ripple effect it will be causing. We are also wondering how this steps on the toes of Earth observation via satellite as satellites are used for most weather emergencies.”

He said that what the bill outlined not only affected the space industry, but also the financial industry that used weather analysis for commodities and carbon trading.

“As South Africa is very involved with commodities, how will this affect the international analysis on our financial markets?

“Does every analyst have to line up on the phone for someone at the weather service to approve a weather report for corn?

“With the rise in carbon credit trading, is the weather service trying to control access to the data or analysis into these areas?”

If this went through, would the world be seeing South Africa as a missed block on overseas weather satellite imagery, he asked

“Also when the ASI downloads our own satellite weather imagery directly from the satellites, are they saying we not allowed to warn people of possible severe weather or sharing any knowledge gained from research and analysis with students and the public unless we ask for their blessing?”

Gareth Morgan, DA spokesman for water and environmental affairs, called the amendment “stupid”.

“(We) know from climate change scientists that ‘extreme’ weather events such as floods and tornadoes are likely to increase in frequency in the future. So, the need for warning systems to protect people and property is important.”

There was no reason to believe that the weather service, with its limited ability to measure and observe weather changes all around SA in real time, could respond quickly to all severe weather events, offering affected people sufficient warning, he said.

All interested stakeholders must submit written comments no later than today, and public hearings are planned for January 17 and 18 in Cape Town.

kamcilla.pillay@inl.co.za

- IOL