Effective early warnings secure the first line of defense

The year 2023 was the warmest since global records began in 1850. The rising temperatures are causing frequent extreme weather events and climate disasters worldwide. This underscores the necessity for collective action to combat climate change.

China experienced several extreme weather events during the first half of this year. Since the start of the rainy season, South China has been subjected to a series of intense precipitation events. The cumulative precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River has exceeded the levels observed during the same period in previous years. Heavy precipitation and extensive flooding have affected numerous provinces, including Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guizhou. This has presented a significant challenge for the authorities in terms of flood prevention and management.

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to intensifying climate change. In its Sixth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that climate change has had a wide and far-reaching impact on the ecological system and society. Furthermore, the resulting risks are expected to become increasingly complex and more challenging to manage in the future.