Urgent Breakthrough: Satellites and AI Ignite Hope in Global Climate Crisis, Declares UN Weather Agency
The global climate crisis is escalating, as highlighted by recent statements from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. She pointed to data revealing that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the first eight months of 2024 following the same trend. Saulo stressed the need for urgent and ambitious action to support sustainable development and disaster risk reduction, warning that current decisions could make or break our future.
Saulo’s comments align with the latest United in Science report, which indicates record levels of greenhouse gases driving global temperatures up. Extreme weather events, including wildfires in Latin America and Portugal and devastating floods in central Europe and Southeast Asia, are causing widespread havoc.
Ahead of the forthcoming Summit of the Future at UN headquarters in New York, Saulo emphasized the critical role of natural and social sciences, technology, and innovation in mitigating disaster risks and adapting to climate change. She highlighted the transformative impact of AI and machine learning on weather forecasting, the advancements in satellite technology for monitoring greenhouse gases, and the potential of “digital twins” and virtual reality to enhance disaster preparedness and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite progress in reducing the projected increase in global greenhouse gas emissions from 16% to 3% between 2015 and 2030, Saulo cautioned that the emissions gap remains significant. The United in Science report warns that without policy changes, there’s a 66% chance of global warming reaching 3°C this century. To achieve targets consistent with limiting warming to below 2°C and 1.5°C, emissions must be cut by 28% and 42% respectively by 2030 based on current projections.
Saulo called on all countries to share expertise and experiences at the upcoming summit, underscoring the necessity of collective efforts and accessible scientific advancements to meet global climate objectives.
Original Story https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/09/1154466
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