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THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE’S GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH PROGRAM

The depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, increases in troposphere ozone, higher levels of acidity in rain, rising carbon dioxide and methane concentrations, and changes in the radiative balance of the earth-atmosphere energy system - all reflect the increasing influence of human activity on the global atmosphere, the life-support system of planet Earth.

The objective of the South African Weather Service component called Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), is to monitor the long-term evolution of the atmospheric composition on global and regional scales in order to assess possible contributions to climate change, to detect (early warning) climate change, and crucial environmental impact issues resulting from human origin. The component’s research and monitoring program also resort under the GAW initiative of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)

Environmental issues and policy matters have to play a pivotal role in meeting the developing needs and challenges of the people in a new democratic South African Society. Clauses in protecting and respecting the environment in a sustainable context is embedded in the South African Constitution. The Global Atmosphere Watch programme entails the research and sustained systematic monitoring of atmosphere parameters, which in the event of human interferences of the atmosphere could result in harmful effects to mankind. These contemnors and critically issues are focussed upon the detection of atmosphere/environmental impact changes caused trough issues such as: -

The focal points of the SAWS GAW activities revolve around the Cape Point Global Atmosphere Watch Station - WMO GAW Cape Point. This station is one of three on the African continent, and only one of about 20 worldwide GAW stations established, which qualifies due to its comprehensive and quality monitoring program.

The measurement program of the Cape Point GAW station also links with activities at regional stations Irene, De Aar and Springbok.  Irene and Springbok (weather offices) forms’ part of the Global Ozone Observing System (GO3OS), where check on the Ozone Layer is kept with total ozone measurements with two Dobson Spectrophotometers. Since 1998 at the De Aar office the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) station is being maintained to measure a specific suite of solar radiation parameters. This BSRN station is one a handful in the southern hemisphere to be established under the auspices of the WMO - World Climate Research Program (WCRP).

The Cape Point GAW Laboratory measures atmospheric trace gasses of greenhouse gas importance. The main species of research and monitoring includes, carbon monoxide -CO, carbon dioxide-CO2, methane-CH4, nitrous-oxide - N2O, other reactive gas species such as surface ozone, sulphur dioxide-SO2, etc. and various CFC’s and HCFC’s. General meteorological parameters also including, rain water analysis, solar radiation, UV-A and UV-B are measured continuously.  All GAW data adhere to a strict acceptance of quality control processes, in cooperation with many WMO World Data Centres. The GAW responsibility also includes the maintenance of the national UV-B public information network.

Worldwide it is proven that sustained systematic observation only survives under the auspice and responsibility of a Government. More and more of these specialised environmental monitoring activities are worldwide shifted towards the responsibilities of National Meteorological Services. This is undoubtedly a core service resulting from international agreements undertaken by Government of the Republic of South Africa.

1) The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol on the protection of the Ozone Layer.

2) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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