World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and global warming
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to serve as an international clearinghouse for weather and environmental data, providing critical scientific information to support research on climate change. With 193 member states, the WMO plays a significant role in monitoring the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, climate, and water resources, facilitating collaboration among national meteorological and hydrological organizations.
One of the WMO's key contributions to the understanding of global warming is its establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, alongside the United Nations Environment Programme. This partnership has helped highlight the significant impact of human activities on the warming of the Earth's atmosphere. The WMO's data informs IPCC assessments, which indicate that global warming poses multiple threats to society, including increased droughts, heatwaves, and adverse effects on agriculture and fisheries. Communities, particularly in vulnerable regions such as small island states, face challenges such as rising sea levels and coastal erosion, underscoring the importance of the WMO’s work in promoting awareness and preparedness in the face of climate change.
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World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and global warming
DATE: Established 1950
Mission
An international clearinghouse on the weather and the environment, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a principal supplier of scientific information to researchers assessing climate change. The WMO is an agency of the United Nations dedicated to monitoring Earth’s atmosphere, atmospheric interaction with the oceans, climate, and water resources. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WMO’s secretariat, headed by the secretary-general, oversees its daily operations. Its thirty-seven member executive council meets yearly to review programs and the budget. The World Meteorological Congress convenes every four years, at which time representatives of its 193 member states and territories (as of 2024) decide on policies, consider applications for membership, pass regulations, and make long-term plans.
The WMO’s purpose is to contribute to the safety of humanity through programs such as the World Weather Watch Program and services investigating the environment. It promotes networks for gathering data about the weather, climate, water resources, and geophysical phenomena to increase fundamental scientific knowledge and warn of possible natural disasters. It assists technology transfers to this end, encourages collaboration among the national meteorological and hydrological organizations of its members, and provides information to public weather, agriculture, aviation, environmental, and shipping services. The WMO also holds forums on the status of regional climate to foster consensus among climate experts and help emergency responders and governments in disaster prevention.
Significance for Climate Change
In 1988, the WMO, in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme, established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The WMO’s observational programs supply IPCC scientists with much of the data on which to base their conclusion that Earth’s atmosphere is warming because of human activities and that climate change will have many adverse effects on civilization. In April 2008, Deputy Secretary-General Hong Yan reaffirmed the WMO’s support for the IPCC’s work as vital to world peace. A statement about climate on the WMO’s website explains,
Climate affects the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere. Global warming poses threats to society in various ways. Increased and extended droughts are a direct threat to millions of people. Millions more are affected by reduced crop and fishing harvests. Heatwaves, especially in urban situations, have recently caused the death of thousands of people, notably the elderly and infirm. The economy of many countries, especially small island States, depends on tourism. They are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, lack of fresh water, and the destruction of the natural environment, all adverse impacts of climate change.
"Climate Change Indicators Reached Record Levels in 2023." World Meteorological Organization, 19 Mar. 2024, wmo.int/news/media-centre/climate-change-indicators-reached-record-levels-2023-wmo. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Mingst, Karen. "World Health Organization." Britannica, 14 Dec. 2024, www.britannica.com/topic/World-Meteorological-Organization. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
"2024 State of Climate Services Report." World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 7 Nov. 2024, wmo.int/publication-series/2024-state-of-climate-services. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.