We've just experienced the hottest year on record, with global average temperatures and sea surface temperatures breaking historical records. Multiple countries and regions have faced unusually intense heatwaves, droughts, and torrential rainfall leading to floods. Extreme weather and climate events are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide.
March 23rd marked the 64th World Meteorological Day, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) designating "Frontline Climate Action" as the theme. The aim is to call for urgent action across society to engage in more effective cooperation in mitigating and adapting to climate change, actively addressing the serious challenges posed by the warming planet to human survival and development.
On March 23rd, the China Meteorological Administration and the Chinese Meteorological Society launched the celebrations for World Meteorological Day 2024 in Beijing. This event serves as an opportunity to promote the spirit of science, enhance meteorological popularization, and disseminate knowledge of meteorological science to create a conducive atmosphere for advancing the modernization of meteorological scientific and technological capabilities and social services. Chen Zhenlin, Secretary of the Party Group and Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, along with other officials from related government bodies, attended the launch ceremony.
During the ceremony, guests watched the World Meteorological Day theme promotional video and participated in various meteorological science popularization activities, including the "Emergency Star" science popularization campaign in Tianjin, the centennial history of the Liaoyang Meteorological Station in Liaoning, disaster prevention and mitigation science education in Lishui, Nanjing, Jiangsu, and immersive science popularization activities at meteorological observatories in Fujian, Fuzhou, and Henan, Lankao. The China Meteorological Administration also initiated the "My World Meteorological Day Theme" collection activity, presenting awards to representatives of national meteorological education characteristic schools.
Simultaneously, the China Meteorological Administration held a flag presentation ceremony for the "Meteorological Science Popularization Tour in Thousands of Villages and Towns." This year, the activity will continue to focus on the theme of "Technology Empowering Rural Revitalization," conducting joint actions such as meteorological science and technology in small villages, large-scale live broadcasting of meteorological science popularization activities, local characteristic demonstration activities, and meteorological experiential learning trips, further leveraging meteorological science popularization to contribute to rural revitalization.
On the same day, China Meteorological Administration parks and meteorological observatories across the country, along with various meteorological science popularization venues, were opened to the public, strengthening meteorological science popularization through engaging activities. In the coming days, meteorological departments nationwide will continue to promote meteorological science popularization in government offices, schools, rural areas, communities, and enterprises through a combination of online and offline methods, enhancing the disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities and the scientific utilization of climate resources for governments at all levels and the general public.
Meteorologist educating students on meteorological science on-site (Photo by Xin Yu).
A meteorological science volunteer explains a radiation observation instrument to students participating in the event. (Photo by Xin Yu)
