OTTAWA, March 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, released the following statement to mark this year's World Meteorological Day.
"World Meteorological Day, March 23, commemorates the creation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and celebrates the contribution that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services around the world make to the safety and well-being of society.
"This year's theme "Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth" focuses on how today's youth will benefit from the dramatic advances being made in science to improve our understanding of weather patterns and to better forecast the Earth's weather and climate.
"Environment Canada is the home of the Sky Watchers Program. This program is an educational initiative that provides free teaching material on the subject of weather. Inquisitive young minds and their teachers will find on Environment Canada's website a variety of interesting activities: build your own weather instruments, take a stab at forecasting the weather, or answer weather and meteorological related questions.
"Canadians of all ages understand the impact that weather, particularly severe weather, has on their daily lives, whether it's going outside to play or going to work. Environment Canada's weather, water and climate information supports sound economic decision making for Canada's key economic sectors including construction, manufacturing, energy production, agriculture, transportation, forestry, mining, retail, finance, and tourism.
"Canada is a founding member of the WMO and since its inception in 1950 has played a prominent role in its work to deliver meteorological and hydrological services around the world. The current President of the WMO is Environment Canada's Meteorological Service Assistant Deputy Minister, David Grimes.
"I commend the men and women working in our Meteorological Service who deliver quality weather, water and climate services to Canadians and weather sensitive business sectors every day of the year."
For more information on weather and meteorology at Environment Canada, please visit our website.
For more information on World Meteorology Day, please visit World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
For the latest weather information in Canada, please visit Weather.gc.ca.
SOURCE: Environment Canada
Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
Environment Canada's Twitter page
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