With global temperatures on a sharp upward trajectory, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasizes the critical role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite monitoring, in addressing the intensifying climate crisis.
In light of projections that global temperatures could rise by 3°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the potential of advanced technology to facilitate decisive action.
“The science is clear: we are far off track from achieving global climate goals. 2023 was the warmest year on record by a huge margin. Leading international data sets say that the first eight months of 2024 are also the warmest on record,” Saulo stated, underscoring the urgency for immediate and coordinated global action. She also stressed that the choices made today will be pivotal, either guiding humanity toward climate breakdown or a more sustainable future.
Growing climate risks and global disasters
The Secretary-General’s remarks coincide with the release of the latest United in Science report, which confirms that record-high greenhouse gas concentrations are continuing to fuel a dangerous rise in global temperatures. According to the report, there is an 86% chance that at least one of the next five years will exceed the record-breaking warmth of 2023. Additionally, the likelihood of global temperatures temporarily surpassing the critical threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is now estimated at 80%.
Saulo also noted the ongoing devastation caused by extreme weather events. Recent wildfires have ravaged parts of Latin America and Portugal, while Storm Boris has brought catastrophic flooding to central Europe, affecting countries including Austria, Hungary, and Poland. Meanwhile, Typhoon Yagi has triggered deadly floods and landslides across Southeast Asia, severely impacting Viet Nam, Myanmar, and neighboring nations.
Technological innovations: a beacon of hope
Despite these challenges, Saulo pointed to new advancements in AI, machine learning, and satellite technology as beacons of hope. She explained that AI is transforming weather forecasting by making it “faster, cheaper, and more accessible.” Satellite technology, in particular, has become indispensable in climate science, improving the accuracy of greenhouse gas monitoring and identifying carbon sinks.
“Digital twins,” virtual replicas of Earth, and immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations also offer groundbreaking potential for monitoring and responding to the climate crisis, Saulo said. These technologies could revolutionize key sectors such as land and water management, helping countries better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of hazardous weather.
Yet, Saulo was careful to caution that technology alone will not solve the climate crisis. She called for increased international collaboration, urging countries to share their scientific and technological advancements at the upcoming Summit of the Future in New York on September 22-23. This cooperation, she noted, is essential to ensure that the benefits of these innovations are accessible to all, particularly in achieving the Paris Agreement goals and other key global climate targets: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
A narrowing window for action
The United in Science report also highlights some progress in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Projections suggest that emissions, originally expected to increase by 16% between 2015 and 2030, are now likely to rise by only 3%. However, this reduction is far from sufficient. The report stresses that to limit warming to below 2°C – or ideally to 1.5°C – emissions must fall by 28% and 42% respectively by 2030 compared to current levels.
Without stronger climate policies, the probability that temperatures will rise by 3°C this century remains at 66%, a scenario that would have catastrophic consequences for ecosystems, economies, and communities around the world.
In closing, Saulo reaffirmed the WMO’s commitment to advancing technological solutions but reminded global leaders that these innovations must be coupled with urgent political action.
“The decisions we make today could be the difference between a future breakdown or a breakthrough to a better world,” she warned.
As the world faces increasingly frequent and severe climate disasters, the race to limit global warming to manageable levels is growing tighter. The promise of satellite technology and AI offers hope, but only if matched by an unwavering commitment to ambitious climate policies and international cooperation.
Read/Download: WMO Report – United in Science
Article Source:
Press Release/Material by UN
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