The recently released “State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2022” report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sheds light on the alarming impact of global warming and climate change in the region. Latin America and the Caribbean play a critical role in providing essential food and ecosystem services, not only for the region but for the entire planet. However, the report highlights the region’s vulnerability to climate risks due to its high population living in informal urban settlements and the prevalence of undernourishment.
Escalating Climate Change Effects in the Region:
- Rising Temperatures and Altered Rainfall Patterns: Latin America and the Caribbean have witnessed a steady increase in average temperatures, leading to significant changes in climate patterns. The region has experienced altered rainfall patterns, affecting agricultural practices, water availability, and ecosystem dynamics. These changes pose a threat to food security and water resources.
- Surge in Extreme Weather Events: The report highlights a surge in extreme weather phenomena in the region, including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, tropical cyclones, floods, and landslides. These events have severe socio-economic and environmental consequences, impacting human lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The frequency and intensity of such events have increased due to climate change.
- Impact on Energy Production: Prolonged droughts in large parts of South America have caused a drop in hydroelectricity production, leading to an upsurge in the demand for fossil fuels. This shift towards non-renewable energy sources undermines the region’s potential for renewable energy, hindering sustainable development efforts.
- Record Wildfires and Carbon Emissions: Extreme heat and dry soil conditions have fueled periods of record wildfires during the summer of 2022. These wildfires released significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, resulting in the highest levels of emissions in the past 20 years. This contributes to a vicious cycle of increased temperatures, further exacerbating climate change.
- Threats to Glaciers and Water Security: Glacier melt has accelerated in the region, posing a severe threat to ecosystems and future water security. The report highlights the near-total loss of snowpack in the central Andean glaciers during the summer of 2022. Dark and dirty glaciers absorb more solar radiation, speeding up the melting process and jeopardizing water availability for millions of people.
