Global warming, rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, record-breaking wildfires, and glacier melt. These are just some of the extreme climate impacts that Latin America and the Caribbean are facing, according to the new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report highlights the alarming warming trend and the devastating effects of these events in the region.
Over the past 30 years, temperatures have increased on average by 0.2°C per decade, the highest rate ever recorded. This has resulted in a range of issues, such as decreased hydropower production due to prolonged droughts, increased carbon dioxide emissions due to intense forest fires, and threats to water supply due to glacier melt.
Furthermore, the region faces growing risks due to rising sea levels and warming oceans, which threaten livelihoods, ecosystems, and coastal economies. The situation is exacerbated by the vulnerability of a significant portion of the population living in informal urban settlements and high rates of malnutrition.
The report underscores the importance of climate change adaptation and mitigation in the areas of agriculture and food security, as well as energy. While the region already has a significant share of renewable sources in the total energy consumption, there is untapped potential for solar and wind energy that needs to be harnessed.
The release of this report during the International Convention on Environment and Development highlights the importance of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and regional climate centers in providing enhanced services to support climate change adaptation and mitigation.
In the face of this concerning scenario, it is essential that we take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote conservation of natural resources, and seek sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The time to act is now, and we need a collective effort from governments, organizations, and individuals to address these challenges and build a more resilient and sustainable future for Latin America and the Caribbean.
SOURCE: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/climate-change-vicious-cycle-spirals-latin-america-and-caribbean
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