In a powerful address to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the critical role of science and meteorology in combating climate change and saving lives. Speaking at a special WMO meeting on Wednesday, Guterres lauded the agency’s efforts in developing early-warning systems that help nations prepare for climate-related disasters such as floods, storms, wildfires, and heatwaves. He emphasized that these systems have protected communities and saved millions of lives annually, calling climate change a ‘dangerous and existential threat.’ Guterres’ remarks come amid a contentious anti-science stance in the United States, where the Trump administration has slashed funding for the National Weather Service and dismissed hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last week, the WMO reported a record surge in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, reaching unprecedented heights in human history and exacerbating extreme weather events. Guterres urged scientists to remain fearless in their pursuit of truth, describing WMO staff as the ‘quiet force’ guiding rational climate decisions.