Early warning systems (EWS) are adaptive measures for climate change that employ integrated communication systems to help communities prepare for hazardous climate-related events. A successful EWS can save lives, protect jobs, safeguard land and infrastructure, and support long-term sustainability. By assisting public officials and administrators in their planning, these systems save money in the long run and protect economies. Recognizing the importance of EWS, the United Nations (UN) has introduced several innovative initiatives in vulnerable areas worldwide.
UNDP’s Comprehensive Programme
One of the UN’s flagship efforts is the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Signature Programme, “Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems for Climate Resilient Development and Adaptation to Climate Change.” This comprehensive programme operates across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, ensuring preparedness and rapid response to natural disasters at the sub-regional and regional levels. The model integrates risk knowledge, monitoring and predicting, dissemination of information, and response to warnings.
In Uganda, for example, where 64% of the population relies on agriculture for subsistence, the Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (SCIEWS) project has made significant strides. After years of civil war, government changes, and poor maintenance left most weather stations in disrepair, the project replaced outdated meteorological stations with updated systems. This has improved disaster risk reduction by providing more effective means of generating and disseminating information.
Innovative Solutions in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s long coastlines and low-lying countries make it particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. In Cambodia, severe floods affected more than 1.7 million people in 2013, causing losses of $365 million. By 2016, over 2.5 million people were affected by flooding, highlighting an increase in climate-related incidents. A four-year program implemented by UNDP, in partnership with the Cambodian government and other entities, involved installing and reactivating Automatic Weather and Agrometeorological Stations and Automatic Hydrological Stations across the country. Farmers now access detailed climate bulletins, enabling substantial planning to avoid costly consequences in terms of both money and lives.
UNEP’s Climwarn Project
The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Climwarn project, in collaboration with partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Kenya, has transformed rudimentary meteorological methods into sophisticated systems using modern technology. This new approach alerts communities of potential floods and other risks through SMS and email, helping rural regions better preserve their crops and livelihoods.
Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS)
Another notable initiative is the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS), launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015. CREWS aims to boost the capacity of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and is operational in 19 countries in Africa and the Pacific, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are most prone to tropical cyclones and floods. In June 2018, CREWS announced its programme rollout in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The CREWS Steering Committee continues to identify new countries in Africa and Asia where programs can be financed.
Summing Up
Early warning systems are vital for climate resilience, providing communities with the tools and information needed to prepare for and respond to hazardous events. Through the combined efforts of UN entities and their partners, innovative and effective EWS are being implemented across vulnerable regions, significantly enhancing the ability to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As these systems continue to evolve and expand, they will play an increasingly crucial role in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and economies around the world.