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Source– This post ” State of Climate Services Report for 2023” is based on the article “Health sector poorly equipped to prevent heat hazards & impacts of other extreme weather events, says WMO report” published in “DownToEarth” on 07 November 2023.
Why in the News?
A report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicated that the health sector is inadequately prepared to safeguard people from the effects of heat and other extreme weather events.
What is World Meteorological Organisation?
| About | Its a specialised agency of the United Nations. |
| Objective | It handles international cooperation and coordination on the state of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is formed for exchanging weather data and research. |
| Established in | In 1950-originated from the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO). |
| Headquarter | Geneva ( Switzerland) |
What is State of Climate Service report ?
| Released by | World Meteorological Organisation(Annually) |
| 2023 report focus area | Health |
| What is its highlight? | 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. |
What are the Key findings of the 2023 report?
Climate Change impact on Health
(1) Health of the most vulnerable countries and populations will be impacted by the extreme weather events resulting from climate change, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires.
(2) Around 50 per cent of excess mortality resulting from climate change by the year 2050 will occur in Africa (least emitter of global Green house Gas Emissions), according to the WMO report.
Lack of infrastructure and ineffective utilisation of Data.
(1) Less than 25 percent health ministries utlises the climate information & services to monitor climate-sensitive health risks.
(2) Around 74 per cent of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) provide data services for the health sector but it was not utilised effectively for the health sector.
(3) 85 percent of nations lack a formal agreement between the Ministry of Health and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS)s to facilitate data sharing and collaboration.
(4) Only 26 countries have climate-informed, heat-health early warning systems.
Way Forward
As Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of the WMO wrote in the report there is limited cooperation and most government agencies dealing with health and climate need to develop and strengthen their partnerships.
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