David Phillips (climatologist)
Encyclopedia
David Phillips, CM
is a climatologist for Environment Canada
, a spokesperson for the Meteorological Service of Canada
, and author
.
and after graduating in 1967, began working at the Meteorological Branch of Transport Canada – conducting research on the Great Lakes
in Toronto
. The work involved using climatological data to answer the questions of the users about climatic records: farmers asking for frost-free seasons or temperature trend, urban planners assessing the location for an airport or climatology the wind for tall-buildings and more general public queries.
Phillips produced reports, eventually published, including an article about a Climatic Severity Index, ranking of 150 locations in Canada for their most extreme weather. After the article was cited by Southam News in the 1980s, Phillips was asked to go on television to respond. He has since become the spokesman for Environment Canada
Meteorological Service.
Phillips received the Patterson Medal for Distinguished Service to Meteorology in Canada, two Public Service Merit Awards, honorary doctorates from the University of Waterloo
and Nipissing University
, and the Order of Canada
. He has authored The Climates Of Canada, Blame It On The Weather and The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry and created The Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar.
Phillips was awarded the Camsell Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
in 1993.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
is a climatologist for Environment Canada
Environment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
, a spokesperson for the Meteorological Service of Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada
The Meteorological Service of Canada , also known as "The Canadian Weather Service", is a division of Environment Canada, which primarily provides public meteorological information and weather forecasts and warnings of severe weather and other environmental hazards...
, and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Career
Phillips grew up in Windsor, studied geography at the University of WindsorUniversity of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
and after graduating in 1967, began working at the Meteorological Branch of Transport Canada – conducting research on the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The work involved using climatological data to answer the questions of the users about climatic records: farmers asking for frost-free seasons or temperature trend, urban planners assessing the location for an airport or climatology the wind for tall-buildings and more general public queries.
Phillips produced reports, eventually published, including an article about a Climatic Severity Index, ranking of 150 locations in Canada for their most extreme weather. After the article was cited by Southam News in the 1980s, Phillips was asked to go on television to respond. He has since become the spokesman for Environment Canada
Environment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
Meteorological Service.
Phillips received the Patterson Medal for Distinguished Service to Meteorology in Canada, two Public Service Merit Awards, honorary doctorates from the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
and Nipissing University
Nipissing University
Nipissing University is a public liberal arts university located in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, on a site overlooking Lake Nipissing. The university's unique character is defined by its location in Northern Ontario, and a large and highly respected faculty of education...
, and the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. He has authored The Climates Of Canada, Blame It On The Weather and The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry and created The Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar.
Phillips was awarded the Camsell Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
in 1993.
External links
- Keynote lecture and radio interview with Phillips. November 2, 2007.
- Biography of David Phillips
- Manitoba Potato Production Days speaker