The United States is the only country that has not switched to the metric system other than Burma and Liberia [1]. The cost of not switching to the metric system is quickly increasing with the trend towards globalization.
There are very strong economic and scientific reasons to switch the US to the metric system. In fact failing to switch could result in the US losing its competitive edge in science and technology, as well as continuing to create bilateral trade impediments with other countries.
A poignant example of the economic impact of continuing to use obsolete and non-scientifically-grounded units is the Mars Climate Orbiter project, a $328 million NASA initiative which burned up on entry into the Mars atmosphere. A NASA subcontractor, Lockheed Martin, was using Imperial units rather than the metric units mandated for the project, causing the orbiter to come into orbit too low and to burn up in the outer atmosphere due to air friction [2].
The cost of switching to metric will be quickly outweighed by the economic benefits of global interoperability. This is particularly important at this time as the dominance of US companies is being challenged in the competitive atmosphere of globalization. The process of switching to the metric system will likely result in the creation of many jobs, and by using the metric system daily, the US workforce will be more prepared to work in the international marketplace.
A phased introduction of the metric system could begin by mandating that all new school textbooks, street signs, spedometers and supermarket products printed in the next 10 years use metric first or in a larger font followed by Imperial units in parentheses or in a smaller font underneath. This could be combined with a firm mandate for the country to switch completely to metric a decade from now. There is no reason full metrication of the United States could not take place in ten years. Delaying metrication will only increase the eventual cost of conversion due to continued national growth.
We the undersigned call upon the United States Government and responsible citizens of the United States everywhere to do the work necessary to implement full metrication within the next decade, by the end of 2019.
See also:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/nudge_the_us_to_adopt_the_metric_system
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2324499886
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3850801238563505476
Comments (3)
Ive never understood why the US still uses the english system. Even the english dont use the english system any more. Besides, the metric system is so simple; everything is in neat multiples of 10.
The U.S. should change its measurement standard to the International System of Units (the modernized metric system). The deadline should be set according to the time of initiation of the metrication plan, so 2019 may not be a good choice.
The decimal metric system is easier to use than U.S. customary units, and full knowledge and use of it in the U.S. will be consistent with our march into the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. Currently, the U.S. is the only nation that does not even have a plan to change to metric. The Nation's adherence to antiquated measurement units is considered to represent the preservation of our heritage, when, in truth, it is adherence to a burden. The metric system is no longer "foreign", since Congress in 1988 declared it to be the "preferred system of measurement for trade and commerce" in the U.S. Most Americans use metric units every day, but may not recognize it. (milliliters, millimeters, meters, grams, milligrams, kilograms).
The Metric Study Act of 1968 resulted in a 1971 Commerce Department report to the Congress, "A Metric America, a decision whose time has come." In the foreword to the report, then Commerce Secretary Maurice Stans recommended the following approach to U.S. metrication, which I wish to reintroduce here, since the points maid on U.S. metrication then are relevant today:
-That the United States change to the International Metric System deliberately and carefully
-That this be done through a coordinated national program
-That the Congress assign the responsibility for guiding the change, and anticipating the special problems described in the report, to a central coordinating body responsive to all sectors of our society;
-That within this guiding framework, detailed plans and timetables be worked out by these sectors themselves;
-That early priority be given to educating every American schoolchild and the public at large to think in metric terms;
-That immediate steps be taken by the COngress to foster U.S. participation in international standards activities:
-That in order to encourage efficience and minimize the overall costs to society, the general rule should be that any changeover costs shall "lie where they fall";
-That the Congress, after deciding on a plan for the nation, establish a target date ten years ahead,by which time the U.S. will have become predominantly, but not exclusively, metric;
-That there be a firm government commitment to this goal.
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
Public Relations Director
U.S. Metric Association (USMA), Inc.
www.metric.org
3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apartment 122
Midland TX 79707-2872 US
+1(432)528-7724
mailto:trusten@grandecom.net
Our government just needs to put its foot down and start the conversion process. Ignore the naysayers who'll show up screaming that it's too costly (bull--the benefits will quickly outweigh any costs; govt can help out the industries that would be most affected), unpatriotic (bull again--COLONIAL ENGLISH measures are what's unpatriotic), or unnecessary (globalizing economy says otherwise). This is definitely a large-scale project which can generate a great deal of jobs. Besides, this is America we're talking about. No one does large-scale projects better than us. Let's wake up and finally become a part of the the world. Let's do it!