GENEVA, Switzerland: The world needs to take far more action to slash greenhouse gas emissions, with soaring temperatures a huge concern, the new head of the UN’s climate agency warned on Tuesday.
In her first press conference as secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Celeste Saulo emphasized that humanity is facing one of its toughest challenges and has the duty to sculpt a brighter future. According to Saulo, the current level of action to reduce greenhouse gases is far from sufficient, and this is a major cause for concern.
“Over the next years, we have an opportunity, a duty, and a possibility to shape the narrative on climate action. We are not mere observers; we are architects of a sustainable future,” she stated.
Saulo stressed that adapting to climate change is no longer a choice but a necessity. It is crucial to build the capacity to resist and recover from climate-related disasters. Under her leadership, the WMO will prioritize fortifying early warning systems, enhancing data accessibility, and making science and timely, life-saving information accessible to all.
“It will not be an easy road, but if we have strength and determination, we will ride it for our global family and for generations to come,” Saulo affirmed.
Saulo, the first woman to lead the WMO, brings her experience from running the Argentinian National Meteorological Service. She aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is covered by first-class early warning systems for incoming weather hazards and improve global greenhouse gas monitoring through integrated space- and surface-based observations.
While Saulo acknowledges the importance of setting goals, she believes that her imprint will be on the implementation of these goals. “If we fail at implementation, we would be failing the world. Here is where my strength will be focused,” she explained.
Identifying 30 countries that are particularly prone to climate hazards, Saulo pledged to deliver concrete results by the end of 2024 at the level of those nations. Most of these countries are small island states and African nations.
One of the major obstacles Saulo highlighted is the slow and bureaucratic resource mobilization for climate action. She expressed concern that the decision-making process often takes two to three years to secure funding, which hampers timely action. Saulo stressed that such timescales are unacceptable when it comes to addressing climate change.
The 2015 Paris climate accords set the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aspiration of 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible. However, the WMO recently reported that the 2023 annual average global temperature was already 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest year on record. In fact, the nine hottest individual years on record have all occurred in the past decade.
Saulo urged the world to pay attention to the trend indicated by the atmosphere and emphasized the need for immediate action. “What the atmosphere is telling us is that the trend is there, and we should really be worried about this trend,” she warned.
In conclusion, Celeste Saulo, in her role as the head of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasizes the urgent need for more action to combat climate change. She calls on the international community to prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fortifying early warning systems, and mobilizing resources efficiently to address climate-related challenges. With determination and collaboration, Saulo believes that humanity can shape a sustainable future and protect the planet for future generations.
Source: The Manila Times
