Extreme Weather Ravages Latin America in 2024: WMO Report Highlights Devastating Impacts
Geneva/Tokyo (April 15, 2025) – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a stark report detailing the devastating impact of extreme weather and climate events across Latin America throughout 2024. The report, highlighted by the Environmental Innovation Information Institute (環境イノベーション情報機構) today, underscores the growing vulnerability of the region to climate change and the urgent need for increased adaptation measures.
While the specific details of the WMO report are currently limited, we can infer the likely impacts based on existing trends and projections for the region. Latin America, with its diverse geography and socioeconomic conditions, faces a range of climate-related challenges that were likely exacerbated in 2024.
Key Potential Impacts Highlighted by the WMO Report (Based on Available Information):
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Intensified Heatwaves: 2024 likely saw record-breaking temperatures across several Latin American countries. Heatwaves can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and increased mortality, particularly amongst vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Furthermore, prolonged heat impacts agriculture by damaging crops and stressing livestock.
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Drought and Water Scarcity: Many regions in Latin America already suffer from water scarcity, and the WMO report likely documents worsening drought conditions in areas like the Andes, Northeast Brazil, and parts of Central America. Drought impacts agriculture, increases the risk of wildfires, and can lead to social and economic instability. Decreased water availability also affects sanitation and public health.
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Increased Flooding and Landslides: Conversely, some regions likely experienced more intense rainfall events, leading to devastating floods and landslides. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm infrastructure, displace communities, and cause significant damage to property and infrastructure. Deforestation and unsustainable land use practices often exacerbate the risk of landslides.
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Hurricane and Tropical Storm Impacts: The Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons in 2024 likely brought powerful storms to the region. These storms can cause widespread damage from high winds, torrential rainfall, and storm surges, leading to infrastructure damage, coastal erosion, and loss of life. Poorer communities and those living in informal settlements are particularly vulnerable.
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Agricultural Losses and Food Insecurity: The combination of heatwaves, droughts, and floods likely resulted in significant agricultural losses across Latin America in 2024. This can lead to food price increases, increased food insecurity, and potential social unrest. Subsistence farmers and communities that rely on local agriculture are particularly vulnerable.
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Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Extreme weather events can have devastating impacts on Latin America’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems. Wildfires can destroy vast areas of forest, while changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can alter habitats and threaten endangered species. Coral reefs are also vulnerable to bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures.
What Needs to be Done:
The WMO report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. Key priorities for Latin America include:
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Investing in Climate Resilience: Building climate-resilient infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and implementing sustainable land management practices are crucial for reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events.
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Strengthening Disaster Preparedness: Governments and communities need to be better prepared for disasters by developing evacuation plans, improving emergency response capabilities, and raising public awareness.
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Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, such as drought-resistant crops and water-efficient irrigation techniques, can help to improve food security in the face of climate change.
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Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems: Conserving and restoring forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems can help to regulate water cycles, reduce the risk of flooding, and provide habitat for wildlife.
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International Cooperation: International cooperation is essential for providing financial and technical support to Latin American countries to help them adapt to climate change.
While the specific details of the 2024 WMO report are still emerging, the overarching message is clear: climate change is already having a profound impact on Latin America, and the region needs to take urgent action to protect its people, its economy, and its environment. The report is a call to action for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to work together to build a more sustainable and resilient future for the region. We await the full report to provide a more in-depth analysis of the specific challenges and opportunities facing Latin America.
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-04-15 01:05, ‘World Meteorological Organization reports that extreme weather and climate caused serious damage in Latin America in 2024’ was published according to 環境イノベーション情報機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner.
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