UPDATE: The Devastation Caused by Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu and other parts of Oceania is the latest example of how catastrophic weather extremes can be

With extreme weather and changing climatic patterns taking a heavier toll on the planet, mitigating and adapting to them remains “among the great tests of our time,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, as he stressed the need for timely, reliable information to further strengthen resilience. “Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of these extremes and threatening water and food security in many parts of the world,” Mr. Ban said in his message for World Meteorological Day. “In the last three decades, floods, storm surges, droughts and wildfires have taken a huge toll in lives and caused massive economic losses. The devastation caused by Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu and other parts of Oceania is just the latest example of how catastrophic weather extremes can be,” he added. World Meteorological Day commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the convention establishing the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This year’s theme for the Day, ‘Climate Knowledge for Climate Action,’ highlights both recent advances in climate science and the need for decisive measures to limit climate change. Mr. Ban noted that over the last 12 months, thousands of lives have been saved around the world by improved weather forecasting, early warning systems and disaster readiness. The economic benefits of climate services such as seasonal outlooks have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars.