Extreme weather events in Latin America are causing extensive damage and contributing to a dangerous cycle of increased demand for fossil fuels and further climate change, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report, titled “State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022,” reveals that temperatures in the region have risen by an average of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade over the past 30 years, the highest rate on record.
As temperatures continue to rise, the frequency of extreme weather events is also increasing, resulting in unforeseen consequences that exacerbate climate change. The report highlights the impact of prolonged drought, which has led to a drop in hydroelectricity production in many parts of South America. To compensate for the energy deficit, the region has turned to fossil fuels, despite its significant untapped potential for renewable energy.
Moreover, the report notes that wildfires across Latin America in 2022, fueled by dry soils and extreme heat, caused a spike in carbon dioxide emissions, reaching their highest level in 20 years. This further intensifies temperatures and escalates the risk for disasters.
WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas emphasizes that many of these extreme events, influenced by the long-running La Niña phenomenon, also bear the hallmark of human-induced climate change.
The economic repercussions of these weather events are significant. The Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) Emergency Events Database reported that droughts and storms accounted for $9 billion worth of economic damages in 2022.
The release of the WMO report coincides with the Convention on Environment and Development held in Havana and organized by the G77 group of developing nations, including China. During the inaugural session of the convention, Cuba’s Environment Minister Elba Rosa Perez highlighted the dire situation faced by many developing countries. Perez stated that climate change impacts are becoming increasingly severe, while progress in implementing the Paris Agreement has been slow.
The 2015 Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, scientists and activists argue that more decisive action is necessary to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
The report serves as a reminder of the urgent need for global efforts to combat climate change and transition to renewable energy sources. Failure to do so will result in more devastating extreme weather events and further exacerbate the vicious cycle of climate change and fossil fuel dependence.
Reporting by Nelson Acosta, editing by Dave Sherwood and Marguerita Choy
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