The United Nations(UN)’s World Meteorological Day is annually observed across the world on 23rd March to create awareness about the importance of the role of people and their behaviour in protecting the Earth’s atmosphere.
- The day showcases the contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services towards the safety and wellbeing of society.
- World Meteorology Day 2021 is a registered activity of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The theme of World Meteorological Day 2021 is “The ocean, our climate and weather”.
The theme celebrates the focus of WMO in connecting the ocean, climate and weather within the Earth System.
Background:
i.The day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an intergovernmental body on 23rd March 1950.
ii.WMO was established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23 March 1950
iii.The WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), whose idea was rooted in the Vienna International Meteorological Congress 1873.
iv.The World Meteorological day has been observed by World Meteorological Organization since 1961.
Importance of Ocean in Worlds Weather and Climate:
i.Around 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by the ocean, which has a major effect on the weather and climate of the world and climate change.
ii.The ocean also plays a major role in the global economy, carrying more than 90% of world trade and sustaining the 40% of humanity that lives within 100 km of the coast.
iii.Owing to its importance, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and researchers regularly monitor the ocean and how it changes, modelling how it affects the atmosphere and delivering a wide range of marine services like coastal management and Safety of Life at Sea.
About World Meteorological Organisation:
Secretary-General– Petteri Taalas
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Members – 193 member countries and territories (including India)
