World Meteorological Day, 23rd March 2026
The striking image above greeted me when I logged on this morning. It was taken in the Sonoran Desert which I’m told has two rainy seasons – moderate winter rainfalls and powerful summer monsoons. It is the latter storms that bring lightning storms, sudden drops in temperature and intense deluges.
The following
is a message from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
On this World Meteorological Day, we are reminded that foresight saves lives.
Climate chaos is rewriting the rules of weather, with record heat, longer droughts, rising seas and ever more frequent and extreme disasters. Accurate, trusted science is our first line of defence.
The World Meteorological Organization and national services help keep us safe by weaving a global web of data, from land, sea, air and space – turning measurements into forecasts, and forecasts into early warnings. Yet the global observing system is under strain, with critical gaps, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States.
This year’s theme, Observing
Today, Protecting Tomorrow,
is a call to action. Governments, development banks and the private
sector must scale up support for our global observing backbone, from surface
stations to satellites, and ensure data is shared openly and equitably.
And we must accelerate Early Warnings for All so that, by 2027, every
person is protected by life-saving alerts. Investing in observation pays
many times over – strengthening peace, security, resilience and sustainable
development.
By observing today, we can protect tomorrow – for people, for
planet, for prosperity, and for generations to come.
Will his words resonate with those who have the power to act? 2027 is a breath away.
Too little, too late?
ReplyDeleteCertainly seems like it.
DeleteI think we have done too little but I also think its never to late, if enough people listen to this call to arms.. will it happen? probably not..
ReplyDeletePeople don't like to face doom - they'd rather bury their heads in the sand.
DeleteNope, those in charge seam to think it's a tomorrow problem, the rest of us do what we can.
ReplyDeleteIt's our grandchildren and their grandchildren who will suffer.
DeleteThey are predicting a huge El Nino event this year. Climate change is a real thing that needs to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteIt's not looking hopeful.
DeleteIt's this bizarre climate change we have had going for years that has caused the current unpleasant weather every where in the world. Too hot, too cold, too dry or floods. I expect nothing better in my lifetime but I hope the generations behind me get better than this.
ReplyDeleteWe are reactive rather than proactive and so bear the consequences of inaction.
DeleteThere is so much that can still be done and great potential for clean power, it is just so tragic that we are living through a period of short-term actions and disgraceful people in power.
ReplyDeleteNo-one will be brought to book for it, though.
DeleteWhat an important reminder this is, especially in times when the weather feels more unpredictable than ever. I’ve always believed in respecting nature’s power, and your post shows why careful observation and preparation are more than just common sense, they’re a responsibility. Here’s hoping the message reaches the right people in time to make a real difference.
ReplyDeleteIt won't be the people who are trying to please their shareholders who will heed the message. Making money is more important than protecting our resources for them.
DeleteAbsolutely, cats have a way of speaking straight to the heart without a single word. That slow blink really does feel like a little heart-to-heart from them. Your photos capture that charm perfectly—, it’s the little gestures that make them so endearing
ReplyDeleteThey do, indeed.
DeleteAn important reminder indeed. I try to do whatever bit I can to raise awareness of the chaos that our world's climate has become, in large part because of the interference of humans.
ReplyDeleteInterfering humans, indeed.
DeleteIf only people still valued "accurate, trusted science"!
ReplyDeleteIf only!
Delete"Will his words resonate with those who have the power to act?" Unfortunately I think not.
ReplyDeleteI fear you are right, so we have to oust the greedy powerful ones.
ReplyDeleteNot under the current US regime
ReplyDelete😟
DeleteWeather in the deserts can change at the drop of a hat; but they're beautiful spots on earth.
ReplyDeleteDramatic!
DeleteThat is a very striking image.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert but lately it seems weather patterns are all over the place.
While some listen to experts other completely disregard them.
I do wonder what sort of world we will leave behind for future generations.
All the best Jan
I agree.
DeleteI lived in the Sonora Desert and never saw a sight like this in the rainy season. Stunning photo.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteI agree. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI read about world meteorological day on my computer at work today. I had no idea there was such a thing
ReplyDeleteNeither had I, until it appeared on my screen. Every day is a 'special' day for something or other.
DeleteIs it World Meteorological Day for the whole world? I don't think I saw it mentioned on our (Australian)tv or newspapers.
ReplyDelete23rd March is the annual World Meteorological Day. I didn't hear it mentioned on the news, either.
DeleteI didn't see it either. That would be Monday your time, JB. Ah, you put the date there.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't feature in our news outlets.
DeleteSad to say, I don't think the leader here gives a damn if he can't make money off it.
ReplyDeleteSpot on!
DeleteGreat words on climate change.
ReplyDeleteWe need actions as well as words.
DeleteI am likely the odd person out in your audience but there have been weather extremes and fluctuations through the millennia...the pendulum swings one way and then another and, somehow, some way, Nature finds a way to right itself. I'm not sure who was there to lament the great tragedies of climate change during the ice age but it would seem to have been useless in any event. I'm not saying that we should be heedless and care but a whit, but just saying that many have jumped on the train without checking the schedule or the destination.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but think that the periods between extremes have shortened. We are of the hand-wringing generation and all events are 'devastating,' 'cataclysmic,' 'tragic,' when previous generations would have rolled up their sleeves and just 'got on with it.'
DeleteObservation is an essential theme to living a good life, now and in the future.
ReplyDeleteObserve, thimk, then act, realising always that there are consequences to actions.
DeleteI wouldn’t want to be struck by lightning in the desert
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to be struck by lightning anywhere! 😟
ReplyDeleteYet whether those in power will translate these words into meaningful action before 2027 remains an open and pressing question
ReplyDeleteOn present performance, it seems unlikely.
DeleteWords are cheap. We are destroying ourselves with the wrong elected officials, where free elections can still be held.
ReplyDeleteWe don't look closely enough at the pledges or manifestoes of the parties. I think many people have been taken in by the Green Party, and probably Reform in UK.
DeleteWe should have listened to the scientists many years ago, but ostriches could take lessons from us on burying our heads in the sand. Just look at the science-denying politicians in Washington, duly elected in a free and fair manner by people who knew exactly what they were voting for.
ReplyDeleteWe could have paid closer attention to David Attenborough, for one.
DeleteLovely photo-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteInteresting. Amen, is what I am thinking.
ReplyDelete. . . and so say all of us!
DeleteAnd we are experiencing a lot of chaos with rainfall here in Hawaii. That lightning photo is incredible!
ReplyDeleteIf this is not a call to attention, I don't know what could be.
DeleteI hope and pray that there will be a response to this call to arms but it seems no one wants to make the difficult decisions ...but there is always hope!
ReplyDelete