So I finally checked out a source that I have had for a while but haven’t gotten a chance to read. It is the 60 year report from the World Meteorological Organization. It outlines the history of their organization, their goals, and what kinds of projects they are working one. I pulled out some interesting tidbits from the publication because I felt like they covered a time period I have yet to look into and they also emphasize how technology has advanced the science. I also want to point out the interdisciplinary scope of the WMO. They really are more concerned with the risks of weather and climate, rather than the hard science. Their main goals is to increase human security and welfare. They even mention how the invention of the telegraph in 1843 made it possible for real time data collection. I don’t really know where this fits into my thesis outline, but there are a few common themes like technology driving knowledge. I could also use this in the history section about connecting networks across international boundaries.
Three motivating factors for Meteorology
- increased international trade and maritime shipping
- changes in society in 1850s increased requirement for weather information (vague…)
- industrial development which placed greater demand on science technology and meteorology
The first weather station in southern hemisphere was built in 1872 in Argentina. Often unusual weather events lead to the development of meteorological departments. For example, the tropical cyclone that hit Calcutta in 1864 and lack of monsoonal rains in 1864 and 1971, motivated the establishment of India’s Meteorological Department in 1875. Networks for warnings were set up and necessitated communication across borders, thus the International Meteorological Organization was born.
1950-1963
- in 1950 only could forecast reliably up to 36 hours
- foster uniformity in measurements and practices
- 1963- 3000 ships providing observations
- technical assistance to new members
1964-1970
- World Weather Watch Programme
- advances in remote sensing, satellites, communications and computers
- 1972- 8500 surface stations and 550 ships
1971-1980 and later
- by 1976, started to focus on the ozone and climate
- 2004-2008 increase in airplane data from 139000 to 260000
- new task to ensure cooperation so that satellites provide a global coverage so that data can be provided unrestricted
- Of the natural disasters from 1980 to 2005, 75% of economic losses have been meteorological or hydrological in origin.
This is a general list of things that the WMO does I think this list highlights how much weather interests with other disciplines.
- Contributes to peace and security
- Taking the pulse of earth systems
- Preserving human heritage
- Improving weather and climate forecasts
- accessing vital information using climate information protesting our environment
- providing environmental warnings
- strengthening integrated water management
- towards a safer world (warning systems)
- Contributing to food security
- Promoting clean energy
- Protecting health
- Ensuring safe and secure transport
- Ensuring the safety of urban environment
- supporting leisure
- contributing to development
- fostering research
- planning for the future