First change: 03/23/2022 16:46
Geneva (AFP) The UNO has set itself the goal that within five years all inhabitants of the earth will be protected with early warning systems that warn of the dangers that can entail, for example, torrential rain, tornadoes or hurricanes. .
The goal is ambitious. A third of the world’s population currently lacks one of these warning systems for weather events, which have become even more severe as a result of climate change.
In Africa, 60% of the population is uninsured.
“This situation is unacceptable,” declared UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, outraged, when he presented his supply plan on the occasion of World Meteorology Day.
“Manmade climatic imbalances are wreaking havoc in all regions of the world,” the official reminded.
“Half of humanity is in the danger zone” and “the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events will increase as global warming intensifies,” he predicted.
For example, the UN chief called on the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to make an effort and present an action plan by the end of the year at the next United Nations climate conference in Egypt.
money well spent
The estimated cost of the plan is approximately $1,500 million. Money well spent, the UN says, considering the damage caused by droughts, torrential rains, or tornadoes, hurricanes and other hurricanes.
The usefulness of these systems has been demonstrated wherever they have been installed, as they allow authorities to better prepare rescue operations, limit potential damage and allow the population to seek refuge.
“Foresight strengthening helps everyone develop their ability to act,” Guterres said.
“Rapid warning systems save lives. Let’s act in such a way that all countries benefit,” he added.
For Petteri Taalas, who heads the WMO, the return on investment in such systems is among the highest of any climate change adaptation project currently in use.
Missing data in Africa
According to a WMO statement, the number of recorded disasters increased fivefold between 1970 and 2019 due to climate change and the increasing number of extreme weather events.
But “thanks to some [sistemas] better warning systems, the death toll has almost tripled over the same period as a result of more effective weather forecasting and active and coordinated disaster management,” the statement said.
According to some estimates, 24hour notification of the arrival of a storm or heat wave reduces damage by almost a third.
But in Africa there is a stark contrast between the betterendowed western part and coastal states like Kenya or Morocco; and the center suffering from a data deficit.
“We cannot adapt to what we do not know,” Mohamed Adow, founder of think tank Power Shift Africa, told AFP in early March.
“How can you build an early warning system for extreme weather events if we don’t have data?” he asked.
© 2022 AFP