As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of extreme events are increasing. Floods, droughts, wildfires, storms and heatwaves are claiming millions of lives, devastating ecosystems and undermining social and economic development. The costs are growing exponentially. Early Warning Systems (EWS) are one of the most eZective methods for reducing disaster deaths and losses. Countries with strong EWS have mortality rates nearly six times lower than those without, and even 24 hours’ advance warning can cut damage by up to 30%. Yet, as of March 2024, 108 countries reported having such systems in place. Significant gaps and challenges remain especially in vulnerable regions such as Africa, the LDCs and SIDS.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative aims to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. With two years remaining to meet this goal, it is critical to accelerate eZorts on all fronts. Achieving EW4ALL requires more than technology: it demands high level political support within countries and national ownership, crosssector coordination, financing at scale and the inclusion of all stakeholders — from at-risk communities to critical sectors that sustain resilience. Solutions must cover the full early warning value chain, from risk knowledge to actionable response, cover multiple hazards, and be embedded in development assistance to maximize impact and efficiency.
In addition, extreme heat has emerged as one of the deadliest, most far-reaching and often underestimated hazards of our time, with cascading impacts that disrupt health, labour productivity, food security, education and energy systems, particularly in urban contexts and informal economies. With emissions on the rise and changes in temperature patterns becoming the new norm, a three pronged approach is needed covering (i) emphasis on emission reductions and mitigation across all sectors including in the urban, buildings and cooling responses; (ii) redesign of urban centers and facilities to promote long term adaptation to new temperature profiles and embed passive cooling approaches; (iii) systemic governance responses, including integrated decision-making, heat action planning and investment informed by hazard science and early warning systems.