WMO is saddened by the passing of James (Jim) Philip Bruce, a much-loved and respected leader in meteorology and hydrology, and pioneer in climate and environmental policy. He was 97.
During a long and distinguished career, Jim Bruce was Assistant Deputy Minister of the Atmospheric Environment Service at Environment Canada for eight years. He retired from that position in 1985 and became Deputy Secretary-General at WMO. He was instrumental in initiating the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
"Jim Bruce was a pioneer in physics, meteorology, and hydrology as well as environmental protection. Throughout his life, he played a significant role in shaping climate science policy, and was awarded WMO's top award, the IMO Prize," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
In addition to his many national accomplishments in Canada, Jim Bruce served as the WMO lead on establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and was on the IPCC delegation which was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
In 1990, he became the first Chair of the UN Scientific and Technical Committee for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1997, winning Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, also in 1997, and the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanography Society (CMOS) Fellowship in 2004.
"Jim Bruce was a stalwart of our community," said David Grimes, former WMO President and Assistant Deputy Minister and head of Environment and Climate Change Canada's Meteorological Service from 2006-2019.
His expertise helped create flood maps, clean up the Great Lakes, reduce acid rain and responding to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere.
WMO offers its heartiest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues and will continue to carry forward his legacy.
