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Improving weather forecasting mechanisms and strengthening early warning systems for dangerous climate events will help save the lives of approximately 23 thousand people a year and bring economic benefits in the amount of US $ 162 billion. This is stated in a new report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The first report on gaps in the field of hydrometeorology was published today. Its authors presented recommendations on improving the standards of meteorological and climate services.

Experts are confident that investments in strengthening early warning systems about dangerous phenomena can bring benefits at least ten times higher than their costs. Nevertheless, only 40 percent of countries currently have effective hydrometeorological services. In the least developed countries, in particular in small island developing States, which have been at the forefront of the fight against climate change, such services are extremely poorly developed.

At the same time, developing countries pollute the atmosphere with greenhouse gases less than others, but they suffer three times more from the effects of climate change than high-income countries.

"Our climate is changing rapidly. The last decade was the warmest on record. The average global temperature is about 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than in the pre-industrial period. We are significantly behind the schedule for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, compliance with which is necessary in order to prevent the worst consequences of climate change and limit, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, the temperature increase within 1.5 Celsius," said WMO Secretary —General Petteri Taalas. He recalled that it is impossible to do without a proper system of adaptation to new challenges. Accurate weather forecasts and early warning systems for possible natural phenomena are part of the adaptation strategy.

"Science-based, data-based meteorological and climate services are the basis for effective adaptation measures," Taalas stressed in the preface to the new report.

Photo Unsplash/J.Towner - According to the WMO, the previous decade was the hottest during meteorological observations.

news.un.org