Tuesday 23 May 2023

Early warning systems saving more lives from climate disasters

In recent years, there have been less deaths from extreme weather due to early warning systems.

That’s according to research by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), revealing that although the economic impacts of climate disasters are increasing, the death rates are falling.

The number of extreme weather events has increased by five since 1970 but fatalities have been prevented with preventative measures in place.

The WMO is pushing for these early warning systems to be in place for all the world by 2027, as climate change is only set to increase the frequency of harsh conditions.

In the last 50 years, the cost of dealing with these events has also risen by eight, totalling more than £3.5 trillion.

Although – based on previous years – the number of deaths fell significantly between 2019 and 2021 to 22,608, 90% of these were in developing countries, the WMO revealed.

Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said: “The most vulnerable communities unfortunately bear the brunt of weather, climate and water-related hazards.”

He added that “early warnings save lives” and “thanks to early warnings and disaster management these catastrophic mortality rates are now thankfully history.”

Since 1970, Asia has accounted for 47% of all known weather-related deaths, with Europe representing 8%.