World Meteorological Day 2024: At the frontline of climate action

The World Meteorological Organization observes a commemorative day on March 23 each year, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the organization on March 23, 1950.

The theme for World Meteorological Day in 2024 is "At the frontline of climate action." This year's theme aims to encourage global cooperation, coordination, and communication related to weather, climate, and water to help society gain a deeper understanding of the weather and climate system in light of global warming.

The year 2022 was the hottest summer on record due to a series of natural calamities worldwide, including heat waves, droughts, and rainstorms. Combating climate change has evolved into a global endeavor that impacts all people. It is crucial for creating a wealthy, pure, and lovely world – a community of life for humans and the environment.

Global awareness over climate change has led to widespread acceptance of green and low-carbon development. As the biggest developing nation, China has long been an important player in promoting sustainable development worldwide.

China has actively participated in global governance on climate change and emerged as a significant actor, contributor, and leader in the global response to climate change, all while upholding the idea of creating a community with a shared future for all people. The peaceful cohabitation of humans and the natural world has come to define China's modernization journey and is essential to fostering high-caliber growth.

China has committed to implementing strong climate policies to combat climate change. For example, it has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 and peaking its carbon dioxide emissions before 2030.

According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), it is imperative to have a global perspective when it comes to climate governance. The CMA attaches great importance to monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and establishing an atmospheric background observation station network, comprising one global and six atmospheric background stations. Additionally, a series of high-precision GHG observation stations are helping evaluate the effectiveness of China's actions to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.

To better understand our resources landscape, the CMA has conducted a national survey of wind and solar energy resources, creating detailed green energy maps. These efforts enable the provision of forecasts for weather and power generation for any new energy facility, thereby supporting the layout and distribution of wind, solar, and other clean energy sources.

(Cover image via VCG)