Elements for Life

[

] 184

ATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND

Hydrometeorological

Organizations (NMHOs) aim to provide their respec-

tive citizens with world class meteorological and

environmental information, predictions and services to ensure

the safety of the population, support economic activity and

facilitate improved environmental decision-making. This infor-

mation includes millions of weather forecasts and thousands

of severe weather warnings that are issued each year, along

with billions of archived environmental observations and asso-

ciated applications for decision-makers in health, agriculture,

energy, forestry, transportation, construction, insurance and

many other sectors. The production of this information in

Canada is dependent on a public monitoring, computer,

telecommunication and research laboratory infrastructure

valued at over CAD330 million, and on the contributions of

about 2,000 meteorologists, scientists, technicians and support

staff. A significant effort is also provided through the acade-

mic community, private meteorological service providers,

media and experts employed directly by large user businesses,

institutions and organizations.

In light of such investments, public meteorological agencies

the world over have become increasingly interested in identi-

fying, tracking and evaluating the costs and benefits of

providing timely, precise and accurate information about the

past, current and future states of the atmosphere. This desire

is also driven by broader globalisation pressures that have

encouraged the proliferation of international quality control,

quality assurance and other standard-setting and performance-

measuring practices. Clearly there is a need to justify the cost

of current operations and this objective has underpinned public

agency support to date for societal and economic valuation

research.

Moving from hindsight to foresight:

a challenge in the application

of valuation research

Brian Mills, Adaptation and Impacts Research Division,

Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada

Understanding the decision-making behaviour of users – in this case drivers – is critical to developing improved weather services

Photo: J. Suggett