Boaz Paldi, chief creative officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Randi Stipes, chief marketing officer, The Weather Company; Derek Van Dam, weather anchor and meteorologist, CNN; Deon Gjoni ‘Weather Kid’, UNDP 'Weather Kids' campaign and Nathalie Emmanuel, actress and activist, took to the stage on day three of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to discuss what the weather will be like in the year 2050.

The session was moderated by Tania Bryer, anchor, CNBC. 

Bryer set the context for the session, stating how extreme weather events are highlighting the climate emergency. He also voiced how ‘weather talk’ tops the ‘small talk’ people make with each other.

Gjoni, a ‘weather kid’ from UNDP’s ‘Weather Kids’ campaign, then delivered a special weather report for 2050.

“Everything (in the climate space) is crazy. If we don’t listen to scientists, it will go crazier. In 2050, heatwaves will become frequent. I know my parents don’t like paying taxes, but weather disasters will cost taxpayers USD 6 trillion because of disasters. Now, clean energy systems are moving from the East to the West. So, children could be protected if we want to. This is not just a weather report, it’s our future,” he said.

Van Dam spoke about the consequences of weather change by showcasing visuals of how the South of France will look like in 2050 because of climate change.

“The sea level will rise in Nice. 4 degrees of warming will make the promenade flood. Our sea levels are rising and impacting coastal communities. 40% of the world’s population lives close to those coasts. This also threatens marine life and causes bleached corals. As our planet warms, the ocean absorbs the heat and impacts ecosystems below and above,” he said.

Paldi stated that the recent campaign by UNDP is about saving the planet. 

“There are no second chances and we do not have a plan B. We have to make this planet work with us. We can still solve the problem. There’s hope for a better future. Through the 'Weather of Kids' campaign, we wanted them to present the weather as they see it in 2050. We saw multiple studies that showed us that the best way to inspire action is through our children. It needs a global solution and we all need to be in it together,” he said.

Agreeing with Paldi about working together, Emmanuel added, “My message is that we all are in this together. We can all do our part and over time we can make a huge difference.” 

She revealed that she has reduced her carbon footprint by moving to a plant-based diet. 

“I’m not saying everyone should do that – but we can try it, every so often, it’s a way to help the environment. Also, watch plastic consumption. Small actions every day will make big differences,” she added.

Stripes stated that The Weather Company not only has a responsibility to report the weather but also showcase the climate emergency.

“People are experiencing the changing climate through everyday weather. 2023 was the hottest year on record globally. 2024 is pacing to surpass that. We are fiercely committed to providing facts about the changes of the weather. It also helps to understand what the forecast for 2050 will be, so that we can leave the planet in a better place for our youth,” she said before adding that they are focusing on three things.

The three things were: 

Access

“We want to democratise weather forecast. Everybody deserves the right to a timely and accurate forecast. But not all of them.”

AI

“An accurate weather forecast for the future requires an investment in AI. We have been using machine learning in our forecasting for decades. We need to invest more in Gen AI and the role it can play. We have more than 100 meteorologists. They are the bedrock but can’t do it alone. They need the help of technology and AI to help with accurate forecasts.”

Collaboration

“When we are tackling an issue as massive as climate, we need to partner and collaborate with brands as well as industry partners.”

About the financial impact of disasters as a consequence of climate emergencies, Van Dam said, “It’s no surprise to the audience, that climate change is expensive. The deal about climate change is that it deals with other markets separately. The vulnerable on the planet are suffering now and it will only get worse. In 2023, the US alone broke a record for billion dollars lost on disasters. It had 17 severe storms, four floods, two cyclones, two tornadoes and a wildfire event. By 2050, it will only get worse."

Gjoni had advice on what adults should be doing. “First of all, they need to acknowledge that climate change is real and happening all over the world. In Tirana, it was 35 degrees Celsius when I left yesterday. Tomorrow, when I return it will be 37. It’s real and people need to act on it. Daily actions are a big part,” he said.

Gjoni added that the education system globally needs to tackle this.

“One of the things I hope adults can do – educate children about climate change in school. Most children don’t know the effects of what climate change could do,” he expressed.

Emmanuel called for policy changes. “Policy change is essential. Dominica was hit by a hurricane in 2017 and is still recovering. They are already experiencing so much of a crisis. They need global support. In the future, we have to think of a way where everyone has to be supported. No one can be left behind. This can’t be allowed to get worse,” she said.

The panel ended with the panellists having one piece of advice each to solve the crisis.

Van Dam: “When I sit with my children, I will speak to them about this and tell them to be the change they want to see in the future.”

Stipes: “It is said we can’t control the weather but we can predict it. In this case, we can do both – we can control the 2050 forecast if we take action now. My message is to the brands here. Be the catalyst within your company and authentically commit. Don’t make it a moment marketing stunt.”

Paldi: “There is no evil genius doing this (climate change). We need course correction on the cheap fuel we were using. We need to be involved and learn more. We need to take action and brands have to be part of the solution.”

Emmanuel: “The call to action for our audience is that we must be in this together. Listen to the experts and get together to make it right.”

Read a detailed interview with Paldi in the July issue of Manifest.