ILAC News 38

From left to right: Dr L Barrie (WMO), Prof A Wallard (BIPM), Dr M Jarraud (WMO), Prof E Göbel (CIPM), and Dr W Zhang (WMO)major challenges of the world at themoment.This is a hugely important and activearea with demands from the practicalobservation community, satellitepeople, calibration, specificationsof what is needed in terms ofmonitoring global greenhouse gases,in terms of concentrations, in termsof temperature measurements in seabasedmeasurements and a variety ofother things. So there is a wide range ofsubjects within this particular topic.From our point of view, we will carrythe work forward with as much energyas we can. One of the things we want todo is to set up clear liaison links betweenthe relevant Consultative Committeesand the WMO, so that the interactionscan be realized in a positive and activeway. We will certainly also be setting upa joint group with the WMO to monitorthe actions and make sure things dohappen.”At the occasion of the Workshop, the WMOjoined the CIPM MRA. The signing ceremonytook place on 1 April 2010, when MichelJarraud, Secretary General of the WMO,signed the Arrangement on behalf of theWMO.The WMO has designated three laboratoriesto represent it in activities organized withinthe CIPM MRA:• World Radiation Centre (PMOD/WRC,Davos, Switzerland), for solar irradiance;• Swiss Federal Laboratories for MaterialsTesting and Research (EMPA, Dübendorf,Switzerland), for surface ozone; and• National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration Earth System ResearchLaboratory (NOAA/ESRL, Boulder,Colorado, USA), for carbon dioxide,methane, nitrous oxide and carbonmonoxide concentrations.World Metrology Day - 20 May2010Measurements in Science and Technology -A bridge to innovationDuring World Metrology Day more thaneighty States celebrate the impact ofmeasurement on our daily life, no part ofwhich is untouched by this essential, andlargely hidden, aspect of modern society.Previous themes have included topics suchas measurements in sport, the environment,medicine, and trade. The 2010 themeconcentrates on how measurement influencesscience and stimulates innovation. As theworld strives to move on from its recentfinancial problems, and as Governmentswork to regenerate economies, we shall findthat science and technology are the enginesof economic growth and prosperity. These, inturn, rely on being able to measure correctlyand to refer measurements to the sameinternational reference standards. A worldwithout accurate measurement is a worldwhere science, technology, trade and societycan’t communicate and where error anduncertainty would reign supreme.National systems of measurement whereverthey are, must, therefore, all rely onagreed standards and units as well asagreed techniques to make consistent,reproducible and accurate measurements.Each national system is linked into a worldwidenetwork of national measurementstandards and laboratories coordinated bythe International Bureau of Weights andMeasures. This network gives society accessto accurate measurement in order to meettoday’s challenges in healthcare, within theenvironment and in all the new technologies.In industry and commerce, it helps ensureproduct quality, to eliminate waste and toraise productivity and trade based on agreedmeasurements and tests. It also enablesscientists to use a common language tounderpin their collaboration across the worldand ensure that their exploits can be takenup by companies where ever they operate.This year, in his message to the worldof metrology, Governments, companies,academics - and the man in the street -the Director of the International Bureauof Weights and Measures highlights therole played by precise measurement. Hechallenges measurement scientists to bemore active in promoting the topic amongdecision makers, as well as with youngpeople, pointing out the value of accurateand reliable measurement to their daily tasksand to the world as it deals with today’sGrand Challenges. Where would we bewithout it?The Director’s address, as well as the postersand other material, can be found on thededicated website www.worldmetrologyday.orgILAC News | International Update 9