// SUSTAINABILITY: CLIMATE CHANGE
From observation to adaptation: Empowering countries to act
C limate change strikes at the heart of our economies and our socie- ties. One thing is clear. The cost of action may seem high but the cost of inac- tion will be much higher. We have the knowledge and the necessary weather and climate intelligence to change direction, but what is currently lacking is the deci- sive leadership. The past 10 years have been the warmest on record. Ocean heat and acidifica- tion, sea level rise, glacier retreat and sea ice loss continue unchecked – driven by record greenhouse gas concentrations. Weather, climate- and water-related extremes caused thousands of deaths and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses. Developing countries are hit dis- proportionately hard. At this critical juncture, leadership means acting decisively on two fronts simultaneously, guided by science. First, we need to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transi- tion to renewable energy. Our planetary health depends on this, and it makes eco- nomic sense. Second, we must scale up climate adaptation to build resilience to more As the planet warms at record speed, decisive leadership and investment in science-based adaptation are urgently needed. Robust national meteorological and hydrological services are the foundation of early warnings, resilient economies and climate-smart decision-making Celeste Saulo, secretary general, World Meteorological Organization
frequent extreme events. I call on leaders to walk the talk – starting with increased invest- ments in national meteorological and hydrological services to strengthen observational networks, forecasts and early warnings to protect com- munities and livelihoods. We have the tools and the knowledge to deliver climate-smart solutions – for more resilient urban infrastructure, drought-resistant crops, more effective
energy and water management and robust health systems. Such climate financing is an effective and efficient investment in our future. FORECASTING A SAFER FUTURE The World Meteorological Organiza- tion marks its 75th anniversary this year, under the slogan 'Science for Action'. For the past 75 years we have pioneered the free exchange of billions of observations – from ground
84 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
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