U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System Gregory W. Withee Co-chair, Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations NOAA Science Advisory Board November 2, 2004 Gregory W. Withee Co-chair, Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations NOAA Science Advisory Board November 2, 2004

2 Presentation Outline Global Framework U.S. Contribution to Global Earth Observation System of Systems Societal Benefits Implementation and Integration Next Steps

3 The Global Framework A distributed system of systems Improves coordination of strategies and observation systems Links all platforms: in situ, aircraft, and satellite networks Identifies gaps in our global capacity Facilitates exchange of data and information Improves decision-makers’ abilities to address pressing policy issues

4 U.S. Contribution to GEOSS VISION Enable a healthy public, economy, and planet through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation system.

5 15 USG Agencies and 3 White House Offices Department of Commerce NOAA NIST Department of Defense Air Force National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Navy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Department of Energy Department of Health & Human Services National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Department of the Interior US Geological Survey Department of State Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Science Foundation Smithsonian Institution Tennessee Valley Authority U.S. Agency for International Development U.S. Department of Agriculture Agriculture Research Service U.S. Forest Service White House Council on Environmental Quality White House Office of Management & Budget White House Office of Science & Technology Policy

6 Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations (IWGEO) IWGEO reports to the White House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) 15 agencies participate as members CENR Subcommittee Co-chairs are ex officio members Co-chairs Ghassem Asrar, NASA Cliff Gabriel, OSTP Greg Withee, NOAA 5 Teams – mirror the GEO sub-group structure Includes a planning and integration team for development of the US strategic plan

7 Linking Earth Observations to Societal Benefits

8 Reduce Loss of Life and Property from Disasters Understand the Effect of Environmental Factors on Human Health & Well-Being Monitor and Manage Energy Resources Understand, Assess, Predict, Mitigate, and Adapt to Climate Variability & Change Protect and Monitor Water Resources Improve Weather Forecasting Develop the Capacity to Make Ecological Forecasts Support Sustainable Agriculture & Combat Land Degradation Protect and Monitor our Ocean Resource Benefits Focus

9 Implementation Approach Interface With User Community Collect Earth Observations Manage Data Sustain Capacity Deliver Information

10 Implementation Aspects Policy and Planning Data Sharing Critical Observations Technical Interoperability Data Management Fiscal

11 U.S. Governance Structure OSTP/OMB guidance memo June 6, 2003 Earth Observation Subcommittee Coordinated Interagency Approach Imperative

12 Integration Policy and Planning Integration Focus on specific societal benefits Issue and Problem Focused Integration Address a particular issue Scientific Integration Modeling of Earth processes Technical Systems Integration Coordination of observing system technology and data management systems Account for observing system evolution

13 Architecture Supports a range of implementation options Addresses planned, research and operational systems Capabilities interfaced through interoperability specifications Inclusion of metadata and quality indicators Continuity of observations, and instigation of new observations Builds on existing systems and historical data

14 Next Steps: Near Term Opportunities Data Management System for Earth Observations Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings Global Land Observing System Sea Level Observing System National Integrated Drought Information System Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System

15 The Road Ahead Continue to engage academic, industry, and non-profit partners to guarantee plan comprehensive and useful Public comments and November 2004 workshop Industry alliance has been formed Update draft; e.g., incorporate public comments and November 2004 workshop outputs Deliver final draft to international GEO process

16 Earth Observation Information Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System U.S. Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations Global Earth Observation System Earth Observation Fact Sheet, Benefit Sheets for all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Tribal Nations

17 Comment on the Draft Strategic Plan for the US Integrated Earth Observation System Comment period open until November 8, 2004 Electronic Comments only Send to

18 Backup Slides…

19 Data Management System for Earth Observations Data Management Needs New Systems mean 100-fold increase in data Current systems already challenged Development of browser and visualization systems Interoperability through protocols and standards

20 Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings Improved Monitoring = Improved Forecasting Need for systematic, widespread coverage

21 Global Land Observing System Support Land Management Decisions Extent of Urban Sprawl Land Cover Impact on Water Quality Characterization of Biodiversity, Agricultural Production, Forest, and Vegetation Health

22 Sea Level Observing System Key Climate Variable 100 million people live within 1 meter of sea level Global sea rise statistics range form centimeters Discussion point of G8 Socio-Economic Implications for the Arctic Alaskan villages susceptible to erosion and flooding Estimated cost of relocation ~$1billion

23 National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Key Components Integrated National Drought Monitoring & Forecasting System Multi-agency collaboration; NOAA lead Facilitates information exchange between local, state and federal agencies Proactive, Not Passive, Drought Response Improve Drought Indicator Data/Networks (Physical, Hydrological, Socio-Economic, Impacts) Integrate & Interpret that Data with Easily Accessible & Understandable Tools Supported by Western Governors 23

24 Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System Key Understandings Growth in populations, energy consumption and economy 100 million people live in U.S. counties that exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards Poor air quality harmful to health of adults and children