Global Call for Action
On October 23, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that no nation is immune to the destructive effects of extreme weather. Speaking at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, he advocated for universal access to early-warning systems to protect lives and livelihoods.
Impact of Early-Warning Systems
Guterres highlighted the effectiveness of early-warning systems, noting they empower farmers to safeguard crops and livestock, enable safe evacuations for families, and shield communities from catastrophic losses. He cited evidence that countries with robust early-warning systems experience disaster-related mortality rates at least six times lower than those without. Additionally, a 24-hour warning before a hazardous event can reduce damage by up to 30%.
Escalating Climate Challenges
WMO head Celeste Saulo underscored the accelerating impacts of climate change, which are devastating lives, livelihoods, and development progress. She called for leveraging climate intelligence and technological advancements to foster a more resilient future for all. According to WMO, weather, water, and climate-related hazards have claimed over two million lives in the past 50 years, with 90% of these deaths occurring in developing nations.
Need for Increased Funding
Guterres stressed that scaling up early-warning systems requires significant financial investment. Many developing countries face challenges such as limited fiscal resources, slowing economic growth, and overwhelming debt, which hinder their ability to act swiftly. He urged developed nations to fulfill their pledge to double climate adaptation funding to $40 billion this year and to make substantial contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund.
Global Warming Concerns
The UN chief warned that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is increasingly unlikely in the near term. “Overshooting is now inevitable,” Guterres stated, indicating that the world will experience a period of temperatures exceeding this threshold. He called for urgent action to address the root causes of the climate crisis to mitigate its long-term impacts.
Additional Information
Keyword: Early-warning systems
Meta Description: UN emphasizes the critical role of early-warning systems and climate science in saving lives from extreme weather, urging increased funding and global action to combat climate change.