Met Éireann marks World Meteorological Day. This year’s theme is:
“At the Frontline of Climate Action.”
Met Éireann joins other national agencies around the world in celebrating the introduction of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. World Meteorological Day showcases the essential contribution of national meteorological and hydrological services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.
With this week’s publication of the WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2023 report noting how people all over the world are suffering from the negative impacts of climate change, and that some of these impacts are increasing and risk becoming irreversible, the focus of World Meteorological Day 2024 comes as no surprise.
Getting straight to the point in its opening lines, the WMO states that “Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization. The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now.” Indeed, it is for these very reasons that this year’s event takes place under the theme of “At the Frontline of Climate Action.”
2023 was the warmest year on record globally, and also for Ireland. In 2023, Ireland’s average annual temperature rose above 11°C for the first time.
As Met Éireann’s Head of Climate Services, Keith Lambkin, explained: “These record-breaking extremes have knock-on consequences to much of society. Past weather events are no longer a reliable indicator of future weather events, but knowing this allows us to better plan and adapt to our changing climate.”
In keeping with the theme, and to coincide with World Meteorological Day 2024, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched – in collaboration with the WMO – a global campaign to boost awareness of the impacts of climate change and to mobilise people to take meaningful climate action before it’s too late.
The #WeatherKids campaign features a series of broadcasts presented by children that depict what the weather forecast may look like in 2050, if current climate trends continue. The initiative calls on citizens around the world to make a pledge for #climateaction in the name of today’s children and future generations, through a newly established platform.
Join fellow citizens of the world in pledging your support to our children’s futures and register today at www.weatherkids.org.
Prof Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary General, has described World Meteorological Day as a unique opportunity to increase awareness of what the WMO and national meteorological and hydrological agencies do, and how their role as scientists and advocates for the planet has never been more crucial.
“The lives of future generations are in our hands,” she stated. “Our efforts today will ensure a safer, healthier world for future generations—a world where children thrive in harmony with nature. Together we stand at the Frontline of Climate Action as we leverage our collective expertise for the greater good and shape a resilient tomorrow.”
Understanding our past, current and future climate, the effects of climate change and the role of climate information and services is essential for climate action, in order to inform appropriately the decision-making for adaptation and mitigation policies and plans. As Ireland’s National Meteorological Service, Met Éireann is tasked with monitoring, analysing and predicting Ireland’s weather and climate. In its role, Met Éireann is leading the National Framework for Climate Services, which aims to coordinate collaboration between climate information providers and users. Met Éireann has also produced a series of optimised climate projections for Ireland, as part of its various climate services. Met Éireann’s climate services are focused on the timely production and provision of high-quality data and products to the public and decision-makers, in order to support Irish society at large, and facilitate the development and evaluation of adaptation strategies.