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In my more than 30 years as a meteorologist, I have seen significant advances in climate science research, improved forecasting models, and more accurate long-term outlooks. More recent – and time-critical – advances are bridging the gap between weather and climate impacts, with meteorologists playing a key role in helping the public, businesses and policy makers prepare. .
March 23 is World Meteorological Day, observed to raise awareness about the important role of meteorology in protecting our planet and its inhabitants. The theme for World Meteorological Day 2024, ‘On the front lines of climate action’, recognizes the threat posed by climate change and the growing role of meteorologists.
The World Meteorological Organization is leading efforts to recognize the role of meteorologists in addressing the goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals focus on reducing hunger and poverty, improving health and well-being, ensuring access to clean water and energy, and increasing community resilience to climate change.
Research shows that increases in anthropogenic greenhouse gases are increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Companies, local governments, and regulators are now faced with nearly two multibillion-dollar weather disasters per month in the United States, compared to 82 days between such disasters in the 1980s. It has become important for meteorologists to provide weather information that helps authorities and government agencies prepare for disasters. Not only do we reduce current climate risks, but we also plan for the future.
Technology supports the growing role of meteorology
The great news is that technology is rapidly evolving to help meteorologists support businesses and communities during this difficult time. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques combined with weather intelligence can now generate the best available predictive analytics to help plan, prepare, and proactively respond to potential risks. Masu.
AI can help predict storms by combining historical weather information, weather models, and geographic and terrain data to create more accurate real-time forecasts. If you look at specific industries that will benefit from this technology, energy companies are a great example. Utilities can incorporate data about terrain, vegetation, power grids, and outages that can be used to predict wildfires. These insights can help utilities take preventive measures such as redistributing power or changing work orders in high-risk areas.
support the community
In conjunction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of increasing the resilience of communities to climate change, municipalities are increasingly incorporating weather analysis into their daily operations to better protect and prepare their populations for extreme weather events. Masu.
For example, meteorologists help local governments identify and reduce risks associated with extreme temperature events. Last year was the hottest year on record in the United States, particularly during the Texas heatwave, where temperatures exceeded 100 days in a row for 44 consecutive days, causing severe damage to transportation systems, including buckling roads and tragic loss of life. The impact was seen. degrees Fahrenheit. Major cities across the country are hiring chief thermal officers to lead cooling strategies and develop response plans to address rising temperatures and their impacts on communities. These leaders need not only access to accurate, real-time weather information, but also input from expert meteorologists and adjust emergency services accordingly.
Climate risk reporting holds companies accountable
Meteorologists also help companies identify and report climate risks. Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted to approve new climate risk disclosure rules proposed two years ago. This major reporting change will require U.S.-based publicly traded companies to include information about emissions and other material risks that demonstrate the financial risks of climate change to the company’s investors.
Under the new rules, large companies will have to report their carbon emissions and explain to investors how climate change could put aspects of their business at risk. While some large companies have already made this information public, the new rules highlight continued changes around the reality of climate change and its impact on business. Above all, the new rules will help standardize information for investors and hold companies accountable for transparency regarding potential risks.
These are just a few of the many ways meteorologists and the weather information they provide are already helping to bridge the gap between environmental impacts today. As we experience more intense and frequent weather events and complex climate-induced weather disasters, meteorology will play an even greater role in making citizens, policy makers, and businesses weather resilient in the future. We predict that this will be achieved.
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