World Meteorological Day is celebrated every year on March 23rd to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. The day aims to raise awareness about the role of meteorology in society and the importance of weather and climate-related services.
Each year, World Meteorological Day focuses on a specific theme related to meteorology.
Past few years themes have included:
- Understanding Clouds (2017)
- Weather-ready, Climate-smart (2018)
- The Sun, the Earth and the Weather (2019)
- Climate and Water (2020)
- The Ocean, Our Climate and Weather (2021)
- Early Warning and Early Action (2022)
The day is marked by events and activities around the world, such as seminars, workshops, and exhibitions, to promote awareness about the role of meteorology in society. It is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of meteorologists and other professionals in the field of weather and climate-related services, as well as to encourage collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders to address global challenges related to weather and climate.
World Meteorological Day emphasizes the importance of reliable and accurate weather and climate information for decision-making in various sectors, including agriculture, transportation, energy, and disaster risk reduction. It also highlights the need for global cooperation and coordinated action to address the impacts of climate change and other weather-related hazards on human societies and ecosystems.
World Meteorological Day Quotes
Here are some World Meteorological Day quotes:
- “The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.” – Havelock Ellis
- “The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- “Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.” – Pope Francis
- “Climate change is a reality that we cannot ignore. It is happening here and now, and it affects all of us.” – Kofi Annan
- “Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.” – Barack Obama
- “The climate is changing. The Earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. We must act collectively. We are all in this together, and we must act as one united world.” – Ban Ki-moon
- “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
- “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
- “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American proverb
- “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird Johnson
World Meteorological Day Activities
Here are some activities you can do to celebrate World Meteorological Day:
- Watch the weather: Take note of the temperature, humidity, cloud cover, and wind speed in your area throughout the day. See if you can identify any patterns or changes.
- Make a weather journal: Record the weather data you observed and add any notes about the day’s weather. You can also create a chart or graph to help visualize the data.
- Learn about weather instruments: Research and learn about the different instruments meteorologists use to measure the weather, such as barometers, thermometers, anemometers, and rain gauges.
- Create weather art: Use paint, markers, or colored pencils to create art inspired by the weather, such as a stormy sky, a rainbow, or a sunny beach scene.
- Conduct experiments: Experiment with different materials and weather conditions to see how they interact. For example, you can see how wind affects a kite, or how water evaporates in the sun.
- Learn about weather forecasting: Research how meteorologists predict the weather, and try to make your own weather forecast for the day.
- Make weather-related snacks: Make snacks inspired by the weather, such as sunny-side-up eggs, cloud-shaped cookies, or rainbow fruit skewers.
- Go on a weather hike: Take a hike and observe the weather and how it affects the landscape around you. You can also try to identify different types of clouds and weather patterns.
- Attend a weather-related event: Check if there are any events or exhibits related to weather in your area, such as a science museum or planetarium.
- Spread awareness: Share what you learned about weather and climate change with friends and family, and encourage them to take action to reduce their impact on the environment.