By Dele Ogbodo
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said stressed that knowledge and application of climate services that may arise from negative side effect of climate change will guarantee better and save lives.
In a statement made available to Journalists, Sarah Odu, Communications Assistant, Seconded Expert, Regional Office for NCWA, World Meteorological Organization, Abuja, Nigeria, said climate change is bad for health but climate services save lives.
While quoting from WMO, in Geneva press release on November second, quoted WMO as saying that the world is warming at a faster rate than at any point in recorded history, human health is on the frontline.
“Climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress towards better health and well-being, particularly in the most vulnerable communities. Scientific know-how and resources can help redress the balance, but are not sufficiently accessible or utilized, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation.
“WMO’s annual State of Climate Services report this year focuses on health. It highlights the need for tailored climate information and services to support the health sector in the face of more extreme weather and poor air quality, shifting infectious disease patterns and food and water insecurity.
“Practically, the whole planet has experienced heatwaves this year. The onset of El Niño in 2023 will greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records further, triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean – and making the challenge even greater,” says WMO Secretary-General, Prof. Petteri Taalas.”