The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UPU have just published a book on postage stamps entitled From Weather Gods to Modern Meteorology – A Philatelic Journey.
The 111-page retrospective contains a impressive array of postage stamps and other philatelic material from around the world. The book's six chapters comprise text and stories to explain different weather phenomena and retrace the evolution of climate through the ages, from the legendary gods of mythology up to recent natural disasters and the threat posed by global warming.
When describing the postage stamps, Mr Edouard Dayan, Director General of the UPU, said "These small square ambassadors with weather and climate change as their theme travel to all corners of our planet, reminding people of the importance of the environment and meteorology in their daily lives."
In response to the challenges of global warming, the UPU has made a commitment to help protect the environment. It has launched a number of initiatives to make its member countries aware of the many issues involved, including the need to reduce greenhouse gases.
The UPU has been invited as an observer to represent the postal sector at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, to be held in Copenhagen in December 2009.
According to Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary General of the WMO, the publication represents a "journey through cultural diversity" and is the result of a collaborative effort by meteorologists and philatelists.
Priced at 40 CHF, the book may be ordered from the World Meteorological Organization by e-mail at ystaub@wmo.int or by telephone at +41 22 730 84 26.