URGENT UPDATE: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning, declaring that global warming is driving the planet to the brink of catastrophe. Speaking at the extraordinary conference of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva on October 16, 2023, Guterres urged nations to establish robust disaster warning systems to safeguard people from increasingly severe weather events.
Guterres stated, “Every one of the last ten years has been the hottest in history.” He highlighted alarming trends, including record ocean heat that is devastating ecosystems globally. The UN chief emphasized that no nation is immune to the escalating threats of fires, floods, storms, and heatwaves.
The Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for countries to mobilize funding for a global Early Warning Systems initiative, which aims to protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather. These systems empower farmers to safeguard crops, enable families to evacuate safely, and protect entire communities from destruction. “Getting notice 24 hours before a hazardous event can reduce damage by up to 30 percent,” Guterres added, underscoring the critical nature of timely alerts.
Since the launch of this initiative in 2022, over 60 percent of countries have implemented multi-hazard Early Warning Systems, with a goal for all nations to have them operational by 2027. The WMO reported that over the past five decades, weather, water, and climate-related hazards have claimed more than 2 million lives, with a staggering 90 percent of those fatalities occurring in developing countries.
The implications of Guterres’ remarks are profound, as the world grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the need for effective early warning systems has never been more critical.
Looking ahead, nations must act swiftly to implement these systems, ensuring that communities are equipped to face the challenges posed by climate change. The call to action from the UN chief serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent steps needed to protect lives and livelihoods worldwide.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.
