August 15 marks the third National Ecology Day of China, with the theme of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”. Let's dig deeper into the role of meteorological departments in ensuring the sound ecology.

Promoting green and low-carbon development

In February this year, the 62nd plenary session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, which marked the first time that it had been held in China. In recent years, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has organized scientific research and monitoring and early warning, impact assessment, and other activities related to climate change.

Annual Report on Actions to Address Climate Change (2024) showcases that China's green and low-carbon transportation policies have been effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and so on, thus providing experience for the global response to climate change, and continuously supporting realizing the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals (dual carbon goals).

Annual Report on Actions to Address Climate Change (2024)

Focus on Greenhouse Gas

On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, one of the regions most sensitive to global climate change, at an altitude of 3816 m on Waliguan Mountain, The Waliguan Baseline Observatory has been continuously monitoring Earth's temperature for 31 years, mapping the “Waliguan Curve” that reflects changes in greenhouse gas concentrations across the heart of the Eurasian continent. This data has become one of the key pieces of evidence supporting the global climate change narrative.

In response to the “dual carbon” goals, a national-level Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Neutrality Monitoring and Evaluation Center have established, and set up a variety of sub-centers in Shanxi, Hubei, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong established successively.

Variation of monthly average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration at the Observatory.

Conduct meteorological analysis and research about ecological and atmospheric environment

The National Ecological Meteorological Bulletin (2024) of China indicates that the national vegetation ecological quality index for 2024 was 69.2, an increase of 7.0% compared to the long-term average, marking the best vegetation ecological quality since 2000.

The trend of vegetation ecological quality index from 2000 to 2024

The Atmospheric Environment Meteorological Bulletin (2024) of China shows that haze and sandstorm weather continued to decrease in 2024, with the PM2.5 meteorological condition assessment index decreasing by 4.1% compared to the average of the past 5 years.

Contribute to the strengthening of the ecological security barrier

Promoting scientific land greening, serving comprehensive desertification control and major ecological projects such as the Three Norths Shelterbelt Project... Meteorological monitoring and assessment have provided irreplaceable technical support.

In June, 2024, the “Qinling Mountains and Yellow River Basin Ecological Climate Assessment Report” showed that the forest and grassland green line in Shaanxi continued to advance northwestward from 36°N, indicating a significant improvement in the ecological environment.

Comparison of vegetation coverage in Shaanxi in 2000 and 2024. Source: Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Service

In July, a 1856-kilometer-long sand prevention and control belt was fully completed along the southern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert in Alxa Right Banner, Inner Mongolia, which was added in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Behind effectively containing the sand. 35 meteorological observation stations conducted round-the-clock monitoring, providing data for analyzing the mechanisms of sandstorm formation, the movement patterns of sand dunes, and the evolution of local microclimates. FENGYUN meteorological satellites and high-resolution satellites have monitored vegetation growth and sand dune movement rates from high altitudes.

Promptly replenishing ecological water supplies

Meteorological departmentsharnessaircrafts, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), etc., routinely conduct artificial rain (snow) enhancement operations in typical regions such as the Qilian Mountains, the Three Rivers Source Region, Tianshan Mountains, and the Danjiangkou area.The Zheng Sai Technology Demonstration Zone on the edge of the Tengger Desert was once a barren wasteland, but with the help of artificial rain enhancement, it has now been transformed into grassland.

The UAV prepared for the artificial rain enhancement operations inthe Three Rivers Source Region. Provided by ZHANG Liyan

Planner/Editor: JIANG Zhiqing