We should convert to Metric immediately because: 1. It would help decrease our trade deficit. Only 30% of goods are produced in the United States using Metric measurements. This severely limits are ability to export manufactured goods. Except for Liberia and Myanmar, the entire planet is using the Metric System. If we wish to be able to compete for the global market, we will have to do it using the Metric System. In fact, after December 31, 2009, goods with non- metric labels will not be allowed to be imported to the European Union. Failure to convert to Metric is costing us jobs and money. 2. Schools would save money and have more time to teach more important things than outmoded backward measuring systems used by only 5% of the planet. In February 1996 the Evaluation Review, an educational research journal, published a study by Richard P. Phelps which estimated that $17.653 billion and 82 days of instruction could be saved by teaching students only the Metric System. Currently the U.S. ranks 13th out of 17 countries on international math tests given to 8th graders. We can't afford to waste time teaching a system of measurement is useless anywhere else. 3. Having two systems is confusing and costly. The loss of the Mars Probe is just one example of how having two systems of measurement cost the taxpayers money. 4. It is a superior System. Some people think we should hang on to the existing system of measurement because they are used to it. However, recently a thirty question test of Metric and Inch/Pound systems was given to the students and faculty at an Arizona High School and both groups scored much higher on the Metric part of the test. Median scores: Metric Inch/Pound Faculty 64% 34% Students 55% 16%
Using Celsius is much easier than Fahrenheit. 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling of water, which is much more logical than the arbitrary 32° and 212° of the Fahrenheit system. Also, you can tell what kind of weather you are having in easy to remember 10° increments: Below 0° = Freezing 0 - 10° = Cold 10 - 20° = Cool 20 - 30° = Warm 30 - 40° = Hot above 40° = Very Hot One kilometer of swimming uses about the same energy as 4 kilometers of running or ten kilometers of cycling You can estimate that people at a party are emitting about 250 W of heat energy; or that is 1000 W or 1 kW for every four people. Ten people will raise the temperature of a medium size room by 1 °C per hour.