DOMINICA, Mar 28 (IPS) – The World Meteorological Group’s State of the Local weather in Latin America and the Caribbean report recounts the toll of record-breaking hurricanes, warmth and flooding within the Area, however shines mild on renewable power and a response to the decision for strong, end-to-end early warning methods.Hope within the face of local weather extremes. That’s the overarching message in regards to the State of the Local weather in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024.
The World Meteorological Group (WMO) issued its annual report on March 28, highlighting the area’s struggles with record-breaking hurricanes, heatwaves, and flooding. Regardless of these alarming local weather extremes, the report emphasizes progress in renewable power adoption and the event of life-saving early warning methods.
Drought and excessive warmth fueled devastating wildfires. Distinctive rainfall triggered unprecedented flooding, and we noticed the earliest Class 5 hurricane on report,” mentioned the WMO’s Secretary Normal, Professor Celeste Saulo.
“However there may be additionally hope. Early warnings and local weather providers from Nationwide Meteorological and Hydrological Providers are saving lives and rising resilience all through Latin America and the Caribbean. The work of the WMO neighborhood and all our companions is extra necessary than ever to satisfy challenges and seize alternatives.”
Local weather Challenges
The report addresses the toll of local weather change, with the interval 1991-2024 displaying a median warming pattern of about 0.2 levels Celsius or increased per decade—the very best since 1990.
Rising sea ranges attributable to warming oceans and melting ice are threatening coastal communities and ecosystems, notably on the Atlantic facet of South and Central America. Final 12 months, Venezuela grew to become the second nation on the planet to lose all its glaciers with the disappearance of Humboldt Glacier.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season noticed 18 named storms, together with Main Hurricane Beryl, which grew to become the earliest Class 5 hurricane on report. Beryl prompted extreme injury throughout Grenada and different southeastern Caribbean islands, similar to Union Island and Carriacou.
Heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires additional disrupted agricultural manufacturing and meals provide chains, driving acute meals insecurity in weak areas.
Renewable Power Progress
The WMO states that in 2024, renewable power in Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for practically 69 p.c of the area’s power combine, with a 30 p.c improve in photo voltaic and wind power capability and technology in comparison with 2023.
The group states that in an effort to speed up the enlargement of renewable power throughout the area, it’s strengthening the capability of nationwide meteorological and hydrological providers to develop science-based operational instruments and providers by partnerships with academia, the personal sector, and power stakeholders.
“In 2024, a man-made intelligence (AI)-based short-term wind velocity forecasting product for wind energy crops was co-developed in collaboration with the Nationwide Meteorological Institute of Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Electrical energy Institute. In Chile, an evaporation fee estimation mannequin for big water our bodies with floating photo voltaic panels was co-developed. Each international locations have been additionally supported of their efforts to develop high-resolution nationwide atlases for wind (Costa Rica) and photo voltaic power (Chile), using reanalysis, observational, and local weather projection information to assist long-term power planning,” it added.
These improvements are set for enlargement throughout different international locations within the area.
Life-Saving Early Warning Methods
Early warning methods (EWS), or instruments that alert communities to hazards like storms or floods, have considerably improved throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Nonetheless, disparities stay between international locations and areas.
The United Nations Early Warning Methods for All Initiative seeks to make sure international EWS protection by 2027.
The report cites Brazil’s expertise throughout life-threatening floods in Rio Grande do Sul as an instance each the advantages and gaps of EWS.
“These floods displaced lots of of 1000’s of individuals and have been related to 183 deaths. Numerous research focus on the meteorological and hydrological points of the extraordinary rainfall,” the report said, including that whereas well timed warnings ensured that weak populations have been evacuated, this demise toll exhibits the necessity for higher catastrophe danger understanding and improved forecasting.
“In the end, this case highlights the rising danger attributable to extremes, particularly to weak populations, in addition to the hazard attributable to inappropriate territorial administration, city planning, and governance on the federal, state, and native ranges,” the report mentioned.
The State of the Local weather for Latin America and the Caribbean report was introduced at a WMO Regional Affiliation assembly hosted by El Salvador to information local weather change adaptation, mitigation, and danger administration throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
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