BEIJING: China Meteorological Administration (CMA) will join hands with relevant parties to enhance international cooperation, and deeply engage in global climate governance for a clean and beautiful world, stated Dr Chen Zhenlin, Administrator, CMA on the occasion of World Meteorological Day (WMD) 2024.
The theme of “At the Frontline of Climate Action” for the 64th World Meteorological Day on March 23 emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts in climate mitigation and adaptation to combat the severe threats posed by global warming to human survival and development.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) State of the Global Climate 2023 report released on March 19, records were once again broken, and in some cases smashed, for greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat, CEN reported.
“I am now sounding the red alert about the state of the global climate,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized while presenting the report to the media in Geneva. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also calls on the international community to take action to break the deadly cycle of global warming before a “deadly tipping point” is reached. “Extreme weather and climate events have become more severe and frequent globally,” Chen told the reporter. However, climate change is much more than air temperatures, WMO experts explain.
It exacerbates challenges related to food security, population displacement, and impacts on vulnerable populations. Weather and climate hazards continued to trigger new, prolonged, and secondary displacement and increased the vulnerability of many who were already uprooted by complex multi-causal situations of conflict and violence.
Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting many billions of dollars on economic losses, according to the State of Global Climate report. “It is a call for everybody. We must all pull in the same direction,” highlighted Celeste Saulo.
“As the largest developing country, China has achieved positive progress in addressing climate change, demonstrating its sense of responsibility as a major country,” Chen Zhenlin pinpointed, adding that CMA has long organized Chinese experts to participate in the IPCC assessment as the leading department of China for IPCC, and provided services to 129 countries through FENGYUN satellites, demonstrating China’s efforts to implement the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
The impacts of climate change on humanity are far-reaching and significant, affecting not only the present but also the future. “Addressing climate change requires action, and strong collective efforts are the key,” Antonio Guterres pointed out.
“Looking ahead, CMA will stand at the frontline of climate action, shoulder the responsibility of scientific innovation, enhance meteorological science and technology, improve public services, consolidate the climate change research, vigorously promote the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and strengthen climate risk management and early warning,” Chen Zhenlin noted.
