Spotlight on African Women In Science Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: Dr Mary-Jane Bopape

Weather and climate extremes can have a big impact on society and the economy, especially in the African continent where weather and climate-sensitive sectors make a large contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP, according to the African Academy of Sciences. And for that is as vulnerable to climate change as Africa, Dr Bopape’s work on early warning systems for destructive weather patterns is invaluable, says the New African magazine, which featured her as one of the Most Influential Africans of 2021. Deservedly so.

Weather simulations and modelling, as well as early climate warning systems, are crucial and can help in tackling climate change. However, none of these important numerical models none have been developed in Africa.

Dr Bopape’s research is therefore crucial. It focuses on the improvement of weather simulations in southern Africa, using numerical weather prediction models, through modification of the boundary layer and microphysics schemes including mathematical processes of expressing a state of a system.

The outcomes from her models are currently being applied to develop products for the agriculture, water, disaster risk reduction, energy and health sectors.

“I’m an advocate for Africa developing its own solutions. The models that we’re using at the moment for weather forecasting, climate change and predictions, are all developed in other continents. Africa is therefore not really contributing to the development of these models, and I would like to see my career moving forward by contributing in this space and to make sure that Africa develops its own model. What motivates me is being able to contribute towards the creation of African solutions by Africans in Africa,” she says in this discussion, adding:

 “We have to invest in climate scientists because by [doing so], and understand those attending to climate sciences, we get an understanding of what’s happening in other sectors.”