UN chief calls for faster adoption of AI-powered early warning systems to tackle climate disasters
Shanghai, July 17
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for the faster adoption of AI-powered early warning systems, saying they are the most cost-effective way to reduce the human and economic impact of climate disasters as global climate risks continue to intensify.
Addressing the "Dialogue on Early Warnings for All in Response to Climate Change" at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference Meteorological Forum in Shanghai, Guterres said artificial intelligence can help deliver faster and more effective warnings, but urged greater international cooperation, investment and technology sharing to ensure every person is protected.
"Early-warning systems are the most cost-effective protection against climate disaster. Where coverage is comprehensive, disaster deaths are at least six times lower. A timely warning is the difference between an evacuation and a tragedy," Guterres said.
He noted that 128 countries now have multi-hazard early-warning systems, more than double the number in 2015, but one-third of countries remain unprotected. He said AI can enable faster forecasts and earlier alerts that people can receive, understand and act upon before disasters strike.
The UN chief said the climate crisis continues to accelerate, with the last 11 years being the hottest on record, while scientists now expect a temporary overshoot of the 1.5-degree temperature limit. He stressed the need to drastically reduce emissions this decade and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Guterres said expanding access to early warning systems would require stronger observation networks, greater access to reliable weather and climate data, and increased capacity in vulnerable countries to develop, operate and sustain such systems. He added that warnings must reach every person at risk through trusted communication channels and in languages they understand.
He also called for the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, saying technology designed to protect people should not come at the expense of the environment.
"Technology aimed at protecting people must also protect the planet," he said, urging major AI companies to power their data centres with renewable energy by 2030 and disclose their environmental footprint.
Calling early warning systems an economic, development and security imperative, Guterres urged countries to accelerate investment and international cooperation to expand their reach.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is good but what about countries like India which already have some early warning systems? Are we going to get the funds and technology transfer? Or will it be another case of developed nations making promises and then not delivering? We've seen how climate finance has been a big talk but little action. Time for concrete steps, not just speeches. 🌍
The part about AI data centers needing renewable energy by 2030 is crucial. We can't solve one environmental problem by creating another. India should push for this at the global level while also developing our own sustainable AI solutions. Our ISRO and IMD already do good work - imagine what they could achieve with better AI tools. 👍
"Warnings must reach every person in languages they understand" - this is so important for a diverse country like India. We have 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects. Just having a fancy AI system won't help if the alerts are only in English or Hindi. Need to involve local communities and use simple, clear messaging. Otherwise it's just another tech solution that misses the human element.
This is exactly what we need! As someone who lost their ancestral home to the 2018 Kerala floods, I can tell you that early warning makes a huge difference. The people in my village got alerts just hours before the water came but many didn't understand what to do. AI can help make these warnings more specific and actionable. But let's not forget - technology alone won't save us, we also need to stop destroying our environment. 🌊
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