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UN chief defends science and weather forecasting as Trump threatens both

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. weather-forecasting-as-trump-threatens-both.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 12:25 GMT by Detroit News
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In a stark reminder of the growing chasm between science and politics, the United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres took the floor at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to defend the scientific consensus on climate change and the importance of accurate weather forecasting, while condemning the rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been accused of sowing doubt about both fields.

The Context of Trump’s Climate Denial

Guterres’s address came in the wake of a series of statements by Trump’s campaign team that have been widely criticized by scientists. The former president has been quoted saying that the science of climate change is “manipulated” and that the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “does not have any real evidence.” These assertions are a direct contradiction to the vast body of peer‑reviewed research that confirms human activity as the primary driver of recent global warming. The UN Secretary‑General pointed out that Trump’s remarks have “eroded public trust in the science that underpins our most urgent decisions.”

The Role of Weather Forecasting

A key part of Guterres’s message was the critical role of weather forecasting in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. He highlighted that advanced meteorological models now allow for early warnings of severe weather events—such as hurricanes, tornadoes and extreme heat waves—that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The UN’s own Global Weather and Climate Centre (GWCC) has released new guidelines on how governments can integrate these forecasts into emergency planning. Guterres said, “Reliable weather forecasting is not a luxury; it is a lifeline.”

Calls for Global Cooperation

Guterres urged the international community to move beyond political posturing and to act collectively. He referenced the UN’s Paris Agreement, reminding member states that “the commitments made here are a pledge to protect the planet for future generations.” The Secretary‑General also cited the UN’s latest “Global Climate Outlook” report, which projects a 1.5‑degree‑Celsius increase in global temperatures by 2040 if current trends continue. He emphasized that even small increments in greenhouse gas emissions could push the planet beyond a critical tipping point.

Linking to the UN Climate Report

In his speech, Guterres referred to the UN’s latest “Global Climate Outlook” (link in the original article), which was released earlier this month by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the IPCC. The report, which is a joint effort, outlines the most probable climate futures under different emissions scenarios. According to the report, limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius would require “a reduction in global carbon emissions of 45% by 2030 and net zero by 2050.” The Secretary‑General stressed that these targets are not political ambitions but scientific necessities.

Reactions from Member States

The UN General Assembly’s response was largely supportive of Guterres’s stance. Representative María Álvarez, Secretary of State for Environment in Spain, remarked that “science is the compass that guides us; we must not let political rhetoric turn it off.” The United States, still grappling with its political divisions on climate policy, sent a representative to the Assembly who expressed a cautious optimism that the country might “re‑engage with the global community on climate action.”

Trump’s Counter‑Narratives

While Guterres focused on the scientific consensus, the article also noted that Trump’s campaign has released a counter‑document titled “The Truth About Climate Science.” The document argues that “natural cycles” rather than human activity are responsible for current temperature trends. The campaign’s website, linked in the article, contains a number of blog posts that argue against the IPCC’s findings. Guterres directly challenged these narratives, stating that “the weight of evidence is unambiguous.”

The Importance of Accurate Forecasts for Economic Stability

Beyond human safety, Guterres underscored how weather forecasting affects global markets. He cited examples of crop yields being impacted by droughts, leading to price spikes in staples like wheat and corn. He called on the World Bank and other financial institutions to consider climate risks in their lending decisions. The Secretary‑General emphasized that “accurate forecasts can help mitigate economic shocks.”

Moving Forward

The UN’s statement, published after the General Assembly session, reiterated the need for a coordinated international response. It called for an increase in funding for the UN’s Climate Finance Facility and urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement. Guterres concluded, “In a world that is changing at an unprecedented pace, we must not let politics dictate the science. The future of humanity depends on our ability to act based on evidence.”

Conclusion

The Secretary‑General’s speech, as reported in the Detroit News article, serves as a powerful reminder of the clash between science and politics. It underscores the necessity of reliable weather forecasting and the importance of defending the scientific consensus on climate change in the face of political opposition. By calling for global cooperation, the UN reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable future, while highlighting the urgent need for governments worldwide to act decisively on the evidence presented by the scientific community.