Hong Kong Observatory Calendar 2009 now on sale

The "Hong Kong Observatory Calendar 2009" is now on sale. It is available at the Hong Kong Observatory Resource Centre, the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department, the Kowloon Map Publications Centre of the Lands Department, General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tuen Mun Central Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office. An electronic book-ordering service is also available at the online Government Bookstore at http://www.bookstore.gov.hk , details of which can be obtained through the telephone enquiry service of the Information Services Department on 2537 1910.

To bring out the theme Weather, Climate and the Air we Breathe of the 2009 World Meteorological Day, this calendar contains a collection of photos showing a diversity of life-forms enjoying themselves in the ambient air. It serves to remind ourselves that human beings are not the only living species breathing this air on Earth, and helps us appreciate why the unprecedented climate change caused by the industrialized civilization is a major threat to us all. The main message of the calendar is aptly summarized in the preface by the Director of the Observatory, Mr C Y Lam, "We combat human-induced climate change not just for human beings. We do it for all of us, that is, all living beings on Earth".

The "Hong Kong Observatory Calendar 2009" also contains useful climatological and astronomical information, including the time of rising/setting of the sun and moon, tidal information and monthly climatological information. Telephone numbers and websites to get weather and geophysical information provided by the Hong Kong Observatory are also listed.

At $50 a copy, the calendar would be an excellent gift to friends and relatives for Christmas and the New Year.