Sustainability.
We Measure Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
Measurements on different scales bring confusion and uncertainty. That is where metrology and the science of measurements come into the picture. World Metrology Day is observed on May 20. The day is when the “Metre Convention” was signed in Paris back in 1875. It is the first year of observation and a UNESCO day. The system of measurement dates back to ancient times. A reference to the royal cubit as a unit of measurement in the ancient Egyptian period. The history of measurement systems in India began in the early Indus Valley civilisation, with the earliest surviving samples dating back to the 5th millennium BC.
What can go wrong when one uses the wrong units of measurement? The leaning of the Tower of Pisa in Italy is attributed to the lack of precise tools for assessing the ground conditions. Metrology provides the foundation for data-driven decision-making and policy development in Sustainability.
In celebrating World Metrology Day, let us appreciate the painstaking and pioneering work being done by metrology researchers. Measurements are intertwined with life, and they must be reliable and accurate.
At UNESCO, the lead United Nations agency for science, metrology underpins all our work. From mapping the ocean floor to assessing the volume of glacier melt in the Andes and Central Asia – two flagship initiatives by UNESCO – we depend on measurements as powerful tools to drive scientific discovery, technological innovation and sustainable development.
Audrey Azoulayl UNESCO Director-General
When one travels to the US and discusses distances, it is in miles, and so is the temperature in Fahrenheit. Filling of the petrol (gas) at the station is in terms of gallons. It will take time for one to get settled and understand the scales. Hearing the number of temperatures likely to touch 100 will startle one unless someone reminds them that the numbers are Fahrenheit. In India, when one talks about buying gold, it is often referred to as “tulas” and rarely in grams. Go and buy flowers from a street vendor. He or she has the knack of measuring through the forearm’s length. The price remains the same, but the quantity may be different from person to person. All these are reflections of measurements on various scales. That is where metrology and the science of measurements come into the picture.
World Metrology Day is observed on May 20, 2024. The day is when the “Metre Convention” was signed in Paris back in 1875. The treaty provided the basis for a coherent measurement system across the world. In November 2023, the UNESCO General Conference recognised the “World Metrology Day” celebration on May 20 every year. 2024 will be the first year of its observation. UNESCO declares that advancements in metrology align with UNESCO’s mission to build a better world through science and education. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) jointly organise the event with the participation of the national organisations responsible for metrology.
Metrology can be described as “the science of measuring, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any discipline of science and technology”. This year’s observation theme, “Sustainability”, reflects the same. There are national metrology laboratories worldwide that continually advance measurement science by developing and validating new measurement techniques with enhanced sophistication. The International Organization of Legal Metrology(OIML) develops International Recommendations and provides the basis for global trade. In India, it is the National Physical Laboratory, a CSIR laboratory that is India’s designated measurement laboratory.
Measurement plays a critical role
in promoting fair international trade.
The system of measurement dates back to ancient times. A reference to the royal cubit as a unit of measurement in the ancient Egyptian period. The history of measurement systems in India dates back to the early Indus Valley civilisation, with the earliest surviving samples dating back to the 5th millennium BC. Researchers unearthed excavated weights from the Indus civilisation. The formal metrication in India dates back to October 1, 1958, when the Indian government adopted the International System of Units (SI). The standardisation of the Mile happened as recently as 1959.
Measure Precisely Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
What can go wrong when one uses the wrong units of measurement? The leaning of the Tower of Pisa in Italy is attributed to the lack of precise tools for assessing the ground conditions. The difference in soil led to the tiling of the tower. Thankfully, it remained there after centuries. It is reported that measuring the acceleration in two different units by the teams working on NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter resulted in losing the spacecraft. The Hubble telescope’s initial images were reported to be fuzzy due to a tiny mirror measurement error (~2.2 microns)
Metrology provides the foundation for data-driven decision-making and policy development in Sustainability. This less popular science underpins countless aspects of our daily lives. In addressing climate change, Carbon accounting becomes essential. Reliable data is required, and metrology is pivotal in providing it. In celebrating World Metrology Day, let us appreciate the detailed and pioneering work being done by the researchers in the field of metrology. Measurements are intertwined with life, and they must be reliable and accurate.
Measurements help improve the quality of life.
The Accuracy of Measurement is Important.
Toons: Advika and Anusha
Logs: M Sai Baba
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