Reinventing the Climate Observation Program “In order to survive, government programs need to reinvent themselves every 5-10 years.” Unknown COSC Open Session 1 Wednesday 0800

Original target: $141 M by 2010 Maximum executable ramp = $17 M/yr System % complete Year $ Million Ocean Climate Observation Funding History Current Program (completion in 40 years) How is GOOS moving forward? (DoC budget examiner) 2013 Revised target: $142 M

Inventing the Climate Observation Program Trenberth, Karl, and Spence: The Need for a Systems Approach to Climate Observations, BAMS 2002Trenberth, Karl, and Spence: The Need for a Systems Approach to Climate Observations, BAMS 2002 Observing system means a comprehensive approach including:Observing system means a comprehensive approach including: Climate observations Climate observations Global telecommunications Global telecommunications Global and regional analysis Global and regional analysis Data assimilation and climate models making ensemble predictions Data assimilation and climate models making ensemble predictions A climate observations oversight and monitoring center that tracks performance, data, processing. This center must have resources and influence to fix problems and be a prominent voice when observational systems are established. A climate observations oversight and monitoring center that tracks performance, data, processing. This center must have resources and influence to fix problems and be a prominent voice when observational systems are established.

Proof of Concept Office of Climate Observation 2003 NOAA Annual Operating Plan, Q-3 Milestone: Establish a center to manage the climate observing system under the auspices of the NOAA Climate Program Office. Accomplished. Establish a center to manage the climate observing system under the auspices of the NOAA Climate Program Office. Accomplished. The word “center” carried too much baggage.The word “center” carried too much baggage. The “Project Office” for Climate Observation (OCO) was established as a pilot project.The “Project Office” for Climate Observation (OCO) was established as a pilot project. An “implementing organization.”An “implementing organization.” Initial focus on the ocean for proof of concept.Initial focus on the ocean for proof of concept.

Project Office for Climate Observation Management Plan (Terms of Reference) Task -- Build and sustain a global climate observing system.Task -- Build and sustain a global climate observing system. –Subtask 1 -- Monitor the status of the globally distributed networks; report system statistics and metrics routinely and on demand –Subtask 2 -- Evaluate the effectiveness of the system; recommend improvements –Subtask 3 -- Advance the multi-year Program Plan; evolve the in situ networks through directed funding –Subtask 4 -- Focus intra-agency, interagency, and international coordination –Subtask 5 -- Organize external review and user feedback –Subtask 6 -- Produce annual reports on the state of the ocean and the adequacy of the observing system for climate

Some external pressure/influence The need for an international system-wide Observing Program Support Center has been recognized by JCOMM. Proposals from National centers interested in hosting the international center, and providing in- kind support services, will be solicited by JCOMM, Summer The requirement is similar to the Trenberth/Karl/Spence requirement for an oversight and monitoring center. JCOMM estimates that the center will need to evolve from the present 2 technical coordinators at JCOMMOPS to a staff of about 7. What should be our response?

CWG: [Elements] required to demonstrate the value of observations:CWG: [Elements] required to demonstrate the value of observations: –Good data management –Partnering with producers of products, modeling, and assessment activities –A clear process for evolution –Aided by the establishment of a Project Office for Climate Observation, which we see as a good step. A concept of evolution:A concept of evolution: ResearchProgram Project Office Center of Operations International Support Center PIs ProjectManagers Team of Experts Centers of Expertise ARC OperationalCenters OperationalCenter