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Meteorologists' Center Disputes Minister's Claims on National Service
🇦🇷 Argentina /Elections & Politics

Meteorologists' Center Disputes Minister's Claims on National Service

From La Nación · (16m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Argentine Center of Meteorologists (CAM) has strongly refuted claims made by Minister Federico Sturzenegger regarding the National Meteorological Service (SMN).
  • CAM President Carla Gulizia stated that the official diagnosis of the SMN's functioning is incorrect and that the minister's arguments are "fallacies and barbarities" aimed at justifying dismissals.
  • The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the government and the scientific sector amid layoffs and union actions.

A significant dispute has erupted between the Argentine Center of Meteorologists (CAM) and Minister Federico Sturzenegger, throwing a spotlight on the ongoing conflict within the National Meteorological Service (SMN). CAM President Carla Gulizia has vehemently rejected Sturzenegger's assertions about the SMN's operations, labeling his statements as "fallacies and barbarities" intended to legitimize recent dismissals.

Todo lo que dice el ministro se puede replicar punto por punto: son falacias y barbaridades

— Carla GuliziaThe president of the Argentine Center of Meteorologists (CAM) rejected Minister Federico Sturzenegger's statements about the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

Gulizia specifically challenged Sturzenegger's description of the SMN's observation system, defending the technical complexity and international standards governing the work of meteorologists. She emphasized that the SMN's extensive network of over 120 stations nationwide adheres to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) guidelines, requiring both advanced technology and human expertise. This defense underscores the scientific rigor and global integration of Argentina's meteorological efforts, contrasting sharply with the government's portrayal.

No estamos aislados del mundo, hay regulaciones internacionales y compromisos asumidos

— Carla GuliziaCAM President Carla Gulizia defended the international standards governing the work of the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

The CAM president also highlighted that a modernization process was already underway at the SMN before the current administration took office. This included a World Bank-funded tender for automated stations, designed to gradually integrate new technology while maintaining human observation, in line with international best practices. Gulizia criticized the government's abrupt halt to this process, explaining that international norms necessitate a lengthy overlap period between old and new systems to ensure data continuity—a process that cannot be rushed.

La transición no se hace de un día para el otro

— Carla GuliziaThe CAM president explained the necessity of a gradual transition for modernizing meteorological systems.

Furthermore, Gulizia defended the SMN's technological advancements, citing "Clementina," its supercomputer, as one of the world's most significant in its field, and praising the regional leadership of its early warning system. The CAM's strong rebuttal and defense of the SMN's capabilities and ongoing modernization efforts paint a picture of a scientific institution under threat, with its professional integrity and operational effectiveness being publicly questioned by government officials. This conflict is emblematic of broader tensions between the scientific community and the current administration in Argentina.

Las estaciones automáticas no sustituyen completamente la observación humana, la complementan

— Carla GuliziaGulizia clarified the relationship between automated stations and human observation in meteorology.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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