Dr. CHEN Zhenlin, Head of China Meteorological Administration (CMA)

Agreeable weather, climate and water resources are indispensable to the vibrant natural ecosystem on earth and the everlasting human civilization. Weather, climate and water, as crucial parts of the natural environment and natural resources that human beings depend on for survival, bestow us with abundant products, but also bring about frequent flood and drought disasters and various kinds of extreme weather.

No matter how rapid political, economic, social and cultural development proceeds, human beings cannot be separated from weather, climate and water. These three factors have a bearing on sustainable economic and social development and on the future, well-being and security of mankind.

The theme of this year's World Meteorological Day aims to advocate the whole society to deepen understanding of weather and climate system against the backdrop of global warming, and prompt the global community to take more effective action to jointly cope with challenges incurred by climate change, mitigate risks incurred by all manner of natural disasters in fields like water resources, agriculture, transportation, health, and energy via international cooperation, and coordination and communication related to weather, climate and water.

Global weather is becoming more extreme, oceans are acidifying, sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting faster, and water is scarce, among others. In 2022, the world was in the grip of frequent disasters like heat wave, drought and rainstorm, making it the hottest summer on record. Tackling climate change has become a shared challenge confronted by all mankind. It holds the key to building a community of life for human and nature, and constructing a prosperous, clean and beautiful world.

Climate change has become a global concern, and green and low-carbon development is widely acknowledged. China, as the largest developing country, has long been a vital force in promoting global sustainable development. Adhering to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has taken an active part in global governance on climate change and become an important player, contributor and leader in the global response to climate change. The harmonious coexistence between man and nature has become a characteristic feature of Chinese path to modernization and an integral component of promoting high-quality development.

At present, extreme weather and climate events are exerting an increasing impact on economic and social development as well as people's production and life. High-quality economic and social development has become more sensitive and interconnected to meteorological influence. Ensuring both development and safety have raised higher requirements for major meteorological disaster risks prevention, and people's demand for meteorological services for a better life has become more diverse.

Meteorological departments have actively participated in climate risk management, early warning, and meteorological services for ensuring water resources management, and continuously strengthen the ability to seek advantages and avoid hazards in terms of ecological protection and restoration. An integrated, specialized and refined meteorological service system for ecological civilization construction has been established. The system provides scientific support for guarding against and defusing risks and challenges posed by meteorological disasters and climate change on food and energy security, ecological security and water security, as well as response to climate change.

China Meteorological Administration (CMA), as the leading institution of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in China, spearheaded the establishment of the National Expert Committee on Climate Change, constructed the national greenhouse gas observation network to help achieve carbon peaking and neutralization goals, and has played an instrumental role in promoting harmonious coexistence between man and nature and sustainable economic and social development.

China Meteorological departments will focus on sophisticated monitoring, precise forecasting, and tailored services, ramp up weather and climate monitoring, forecasting and early warning services, accelerate the development of meteorological modernization with characterized by smart meteorology, serve high-quality economic and social development, and actively engage in global climate governance. Meteorological departments will strive to build a beautiful home of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

Editor: Liu Shuqiao