Between 1970 and 2021, climate-related disasters have killed more than two million people and caused an estimated $4.3 trillion in economic losses worldwide, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The figures were released on World Meteorological Day, observed annually on March 23, and highlight the growing urgency of climate action. Despite advancements in forecasting and early warning technologies, nearly half of all countries still lack comprehensive systems to alert populations about extreme weather events, particularly in low-income and climate-vulnerable regions.
Climate Disasters Are Worsening
The WMO report underscores how climate change is driving more extreme weather. The world has just experienced the hottest decade on record, with 2024 likely to be the first full year where global temperatures temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Scientists warn that this milestone is not just symbolic—it signals worsening climate impacts, including intensified heatwaves, devastating storms, prolonged droughts, and more powerful tropical cyclones.
Read More: Climate change brings rare snowfall to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jouf Desert …
Rising greenhouse gas emissions, warming oceans, and a strong El Niño effect have contributed to record-breaking temperatures and accelerating environmental changes. Key findings from the WMO’s latest climate assessment include:
- Sea levels are rising at an increasing pace.
- Glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, with the largest three-year loss of glacier mass on record occurring recently.
- The Arctic and Antarctic ice extents have reached new lows, with the past 18 years recording the lowest Arctic sea-ice extents.
- Ocean heat content continues to break records, with each of the last eight years setting new highs.
Early Warnings Save Lives, But Access Remains Unequal
The WMO emphasizes that while improved early warning systems have helped reduce the number of deaths from climate disasters, economic losses are still soaring. The damage includes destroyed infrastructure, agricultural losses, and displacement, particularly in regions with limited adaptation capacity.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the lack of universal early warning systems “disgraceful” in an era of digital connectivity. “Early warnings are not luxuries. They are necessities and sound investments—providing an almost tenfold return,” he said.
To address these challenges, the WMO and the UN launched the Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure every person on the planet is covered by an early warning system by 2027. So far, 108 countries have reported having some form of multi-hazard early warning system—more than double the 52 countries that had them in 2015. However, many climate-vulnerable nations remain without adequate coverage.
Need for Greater Investment
While progress has been made, the WMO stresses that much more investment is required to scale up early warning systems worldwide. The organization is calling for:
- High-level political support to prioritize early warning systems in national policies.
- Stronger collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities to enhance forecasting and disaster preparedness.
- Increased funding from Multilateral Development Banks to support infrastructure and technology upgrades.
- Greater use of artificial intelligence and advanced climate modeling, ensuring these tools are equitably shared across all regions.
Forecasting alone is not enough, experts warn. Early warnings must be actionable, clear, and accessible so that communities can respond effectively when disasters strike. The WMO also urges international cooperation in data sharing, as climate hazards do not respect borders.
Read More: Women’s Rights Under Attack as Global Backlash Threatens Equality
The WMO’s findings come at a critical time as the world grapples with the accelerating effects of climate change. With the increasing frequency and severity of climate disasters, investment in meteorological services and disaster preparedness is more crucial than ever. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo likened meteorologists to frontline health workers, emphasizing their vital role in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. “We’ve saved hundreds of thousands of lives and billions in potential losses over the last 75 years. But many still remain outside the safety net,” she said.