NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL) – Pia Bozyel – World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that destructive droughts, heavy rains, melting snows and glaciers, whose effects are exacerbated by climate change, are causing major damage to water cycles.
Geneva based WMO, published its “State of Global Water Resources 2022” report.
The report emphasized that “The hydrological cycle is spinning out of balance as a result of climate change and human activities.”
Noting that there is very little knowledge about “the true state” of world’s water resources, the report warned that in order to manage water resources, increased information, data sharing and cooperation among countries is of utmost importance.
Regarding the report, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said, “This WMO report offers a comprehensive, and consistent overview of water resources worldwide, highlighting the influence of climate, environmental, and societal changes.”
Drawing attention to climate change and global warming, Taalas warned that warmer atmosphere holds more moisture causing much heavier precipitation episodes and flooding.
Taalas stated that “This report is a call to action for more data sharing to enable meaningful early warnings and for more coordinated and integrated water management policies that are an integral part of climate action.”
According to latest UN figures, 3.6 billion people lack access to sufficient water at least a month per year and this is expected to increase to more than five billion by 2050.
