Professor Brian Golding, President of the Royal Meteorological Society, talks about some of the Society’s impact in 2024 in this RMetS Christmas Message.  

Hello, I’m Brian Golding, President of the Royal Meteorological Society, and it’s my pleasure to speak to you as we come towards the end of 2024. 

This seasonal message has become established as a tradition of the Society and I’m a great believer in traditions that help to build continuity and community, especially in an organisation devoted to the fast-changing needs of society for weather and climate information. 

As the Society approaches its 175th year, it is uniquely able to draw on the depths of knowledge of generations of scientists alongside the excellence of those who are striking out in new directions. Whether your interest is in the weather of your backyard or in issues arising from the global climate, this has been a year of headlines. 

Once again, there have been tragic consequences when violent weather has hit vulnerable communities across the world. The importance of the UN Secretary General’s early warnings for all by 2027 call cannot be overstated, and I applaud the efforts that many of you are making, whether directly or indirectly. During 2024, the attribution of such events to the changing global climate has repeatedly hit the headlines. 

As I was preparing this message, COP 29 was in progress and it’s clear that the world is not yet on track to avoid much more serious consequences of climate change. In these contexts, the Royal Meteorological Society has had a very active year. 

Fundamental to its mission is advancing understanding of weather and climate. 

So far in 2024, 700 articles have been published in RMetS journals, each one building our knowledge of weather and climate and how it affects us—and I thank everyone of you that has made the effort to share your research in this way. 

Crucial for the future of our profession is the role of the society in attracting young scientists. In 2024, a new guide to Careers for Climate was produced to facilitate this. 

Thousands of enthusiasts, academics and professionals have come together at the 57 events run by the Society this year, including the first of the new RMetS Annual Weather and Climate Conference, where I was delighted to meet many of you. 

Informing the public, business and government is a key role of the Society and much has been done this year.  

The new Climate Concept Association Tool is being used widely in a variety of climate communication initiatives. 

The launch of our first State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report provides valuable information on the resilience of the UK energy system and has received strong uptake amongst energy sector stakeholders and academics. 

On top of this, hundreds of interviews and thousands of pieces of coverage have provided expert input and commentary through a wide range of media. 

I cannot finish without highlighting the Weather Photographer of the Year competition, which this year attracted 4,500 entries from 82 countries and has reached tens of millions of people worldwide. 

If you haven’t looked at the winning pictures, I urge you to do so on the RMetS website for the spectacular weather that they portray, as well as for the expert skills of the winning photographers. 

So, as we come to the end of the year, I wish you an enjoyable festive season wherever you are, and especially if you’re going through difficult times. I offer you a choice menu of RMetS publications and events in the coming year, and I hope that, whatever your interest, 2025 will be a year in which weather and climate will continue to fire your imagination.