WMO report highlights lifesaving role of climate services

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its annual State of Climate Services report, which this year focuses on health. The report, which underscores the impact of climate change on human health and well-being, incorporates contributions from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS*), and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S*).

The WMO report highlights the fact that the world is warming at an unprecedented rate, posing severe threats to human health. Quoting the C3S annual European State of the Climate report, the WMO notes that, in 2022, southern Europe experienced a record number of days with “very strong heat stress” during summer.  Climate change is undermining health determinants and increasing the strain on health systems, endangering decades of progress in promoting human health, especially in vulnerable communities. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has expressed very high confidence that health risks related to injury, disease, and mortality will surge due to more frequent and intense temperature extremes, cyclones, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. Alarmingly, over 50% of excess mortality attributed to climate change by 2050 is expected to occur in Africa.

Climate services are fundamental

To combat these health threats, climate information and services are identified as fundamental tools to understand and mitigate climate-related health risks. However, the report highlights that these services are underutilised, and emphasises the need for better integration between the climate and health sectors.

CAMS contribution is singled out, particularly in a section focusing on air quality. The report recognises CAMS work in providing operational daily analyses and forecasts of worldwide long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants. These forecasts are not only critical in their raw form but also serve as essential inputs to various downstream services, including national air quality forecasts, smartphone applications, and policy tools.

CAMS is also featured in a case study in the report that explores handheld access to actionable heat risk and response information in eight global cities. One approach proposed is "EXTREMA Global," a portfolio of digital services that utilise Earth observation data, climate and atmosphere models, and local data to provide city-specific customisations. Among its offerings is a free, multilingual mobile app that delivers current heat risk information to users and offers health protection recommendations, with the optional integration of air quality data from CAMS.

Another case study on awareness of local UV radiation exposure risk highlights the role of the SunSmart Global UV app, which seeks to bring worldwide consistency to UV reporting and public health messaging, and to tackle the worldwide burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage. This app uses UV data from CAMS.

Benefits of climate services for health

Climate services play a crucial role in benefiting public health across the globe. For example, in Africa, these services aid in food security and shock response systems, enabling social protection in regions like Mauritania and the Sahel. By improving drought anticipation measures, humanitarian organisations in Kenya are better equipped to provide clean water and nutrition, which directly enhances the health of local communities. 

Meanwhile, in Europe, a mobile app provides invaluable information on the risks of heatwaves and air pollution in urban areas, benefiting millions of allergy patients and, in the Pacific region, integrated risk monitoring and climate-informed early warning systems in Fiji have significantly improved the ability of communities to prepare for and respond to climatic changes. 

The release of the WMO's State of Climate Services report underscores the critical link between climate and health, making it essential for stakeholders, including CAMS and C3S, to continue their dedicated efforts in providing essential data and services to safeguard public health. As climate change continues to challenge our planet, these contributions become more vital than ever in the fight for the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.

See the WMO press release for more information.

*CAMS and C3S are implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on behalf of the European Commission.