World Meteorological Organization WMO

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a UN specialized agency that primarily deals with climate and weather science; as well as natural disasters, geoscience, and hydrology. Most of the WMO’s work is scientific and research-based, and the organization uses data from many stations around the world to collect meteorological data, which is then used to prepare for and prevent natural disasters. It also does a significant amount of public outreach, both to inform the public about the environment and to award scientists who make great contributions to WMO-related fields. In this committee at MUNUC, the two topics covered will be the prediction and monitoring of natural disasters, as well as the issue of global water scarcity and access, both of which are becoming increasingly important in the face of climate change.

Topic A: Prediction and Monitoring of Natural Disasters
Due to greater industrialization throughout the world, as well as the work of other UN agencies, the number of people dying from natural disasters has been declining in recent years. However, the number still reaches the thousands each year, and in some cases, such as in the Haitian earthquake of 2010, the hundreds of thousands. It is also the case that 90% of natural disasters are water related, whether that be hurricanes, floods, or droughts, and these can often easily be prevented or mitigated. Furthermore, with the emergence of climate change, natural disasters could become more common. For this reason, natural disasters are still an important topic for the WMO to discuss. There are many tried and true methods of preventing natural disasters, such as early warning systems and weather monitoring. However, one third of the world still does not have access to early warning systems, and expanding their use will undoubtedly be an important topic. Even if natural disasters can be predicted and the populace can be warned, there is still the problem of monitoring and mitigating them. Not only must the world give aid to countries experiencing natural disasters, but new data must be collected each time in order to learn for the future. In discussing this topic, the WMO must not only discuss how to predict and mitigate natural disasters, but also how to learn from them and create measures to prevent them and the damage they cause in the future.

Topic B: Global Water Scarcity and Access
The increasing scarcity of freshwater resources worldwide presents a critical challenge that jeopardizes health, security, and economic stability across the globe. Often termed as the ‘blue gold,’ water scarcity affects over two billion people who currently live in countries experiencing high water stress. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and mismanagement of water resources intensify the urgency of finding sustainable solutions. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), along with other international entities, plays a pivotal role in addressing these water-related challenges. As the global climate continues to shift, altering water cycles, the WMO’s expertise in weather, climate, and water-related sciences is invaluable for formulating strategies to enhance water management, conservation, and equitable distribution. This topic challenges delegates to collaborate and innovate in crafting policies that not only address immediate water needs but also ensure long-term water sustainability and access for all, particularly in underprivileged regions suffering from chronic water shortages.