This multi-organization effort compiled by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) provides an update on the latest climate and social science developments. Nearly 20 partnering organizations and dozens of individual authors came together to produce United in Science 2024: A Multi-Organization High-Level Compilation of the Latest Weather, Climate, Water and Related Environmental and Social Sciences for the Future.
The report emphasizes the role of innovation and technology in natural and social sciences. Cutting-edge innovation in artificial intelligence and satellite technologies enhance environmental strategies to create sustainable development in climate mitigation efforts. Unfortunately, according to the report global climate goals are still out of reach, due to human-caused climate changes in the atmosphere and ocean. Greenhouse gas emissions have created the warmest year on record in 2023, sparking extreme weather events in the first half of 2024. A possible solution may reside in the advancement of AI and machine learning technologies. Weather forecasting and modeling can be an accessible game-changer for low-income countries.
Technology alone does not provide the solution. Coordinating public-private partnerships and international collaboration can enhance our understanding of climate systems. A transdisciplinary approach is recommended in order to boost the impact of science and technology for diverse benefits. Just as partnering organizations and authors collaborated to produce this report, it is recommended that scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society to work together to “harness the power of data through international cooperation and robust governance.”
United in Science 2024 includes beautiful photography and accessible graphs and charts to illustrate data and statistics that support their narrative. For more information, check out HSDL’s In Focus topics on Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence, and Disaster Economics.
