Extreme Weather: A Growing Threat to Lives and Livelihoods
The United Nations (UN) has issued a stark warning about the escalating impact of climate-related disasters, urging global action to address this pressing issue. With over 2 million lives lost in the past 50 years due to weather, water, and climate hazards, the UN's meteorological agency is calling for immediate attention and decisive measures.
But here's where it gets controversial: nearly half of all countries lack early-warning systems for extreme weather events, leaving millions at risk, especially in developing nations. This disparity in preparedness is a critical factor in the rising death toll from climate-related disasters.
The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report on Monday, highlighting the urgent need to bridge the gaps in global monitoring and forecasting networks. Timely alerts, they emphasize, are crucial to saving lives as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change.
"Many millions of people are vulnerable to dangerous weather, and the impact on economic assets and vital infrastructure is increasing," the WMO stated. Disaster-related deaths are a staggering six times higher in countries without early-warning systems, underscoring the importance of these measures.
The WMO's report reveals that weather, water, and climate-related hazards have claimed over 2 million lives in the past half-century, with 90% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. "Impacts are spiralling as weather becomes more extreme," the organization warns.
And this is the part most people miss: the situation is particularly dire in fragile, conflict, and violence-affected contexts, where the capacity for early warning systems is often lacking.
However, there is progress to be found, especially in Africa, where more countries are implementing functioning websites and issuing standardized alerts. "Early warning means early action," says WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. "Our goal is not just to warn, but to empower."
