UN Secretary-General Urges Action on Early Warning Systems to Combat Climate Change
Oru Leonard
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), on its 75th anniversary, emphasizing the critical need for expanded early warning systems to protect lives and economies from extreme weather events. Guterres praised WMO as “a barometer of truth” and a vital source of data and information for the planet.
Speaking on the devastating impact of extreme weather, Guterres highlighted the alarming consequences of climate change, noting that in the last 50 years, weather, water, and climate-related hazards have claimed over 2 million lives, with 90% of those deaths occurring in developing countries.
He disclosed however, that every dollar invested in early warning systems can yield up to 15 dollars in saved economic losses.
The UN Secretary-General then urged countries to take immediate action to implement early warning systems, citing the Early Warnings for All initiative launched in 2022. This initiative aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is covered by life-saving early warnings by the end of 2027. He emphasized key areas of focus which include:
– Embedding early warning systems in national policies, institutions, and budgets
– Increasing financing and easing debt burdens for developing countries
– Delivering bold new national climate action plans to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius
Nevertheless, while significant progress has been made, with 108 countries reporting some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems, gaps remain. Disaster mortality is six times higher, and the number of people affected is four times higher in countries with limited multi-hazard early warning systems.
(WMO Media)
