Global Warning: Urgent Call for Extreme Weather Early Warning Systems

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, highlights the urgent need for global Early Warning Systems to combat the dire effects of climate change. At a UN conference, he emphasized the importance of implementing these systems to protect against extreme weather, advocating immediate action and funding mobilization to safeguard lives and ecosystems.

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, issued a stark warning on Wednesday about the severe risks posed by global warming. Speaking at the UN World Meteorological Organization's extraordinary conference in Geneva, he urged countries to establish disaster warning systems to protect citizens from escalating extreme weather events.

Guterres emphasized the significance of Early Warning Systems, which can empower farmers, enable safe evacuations, and shield entire communities. Highlighting their effectiveness, he noted that receiving a warning 24 hours in advance could reduce damage by up to 30%.

The WMO reported that over 2 million lives have been lost to weather-related hazards in the last 50 years, with 90% of these fatalities occurring in developing nations. Guterres stressed the necessity for prompt action and financial support to ensure all countries implement these systems by 2027.

(With inputs from agencies.)