1. The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS): Policy and Technical Perspectives Multi Temp 2005 | Biloxi, MS VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. US Navy (Ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Group on Earth Observations Executive Committee Co-Chair May 16, 2005

2. 2 Presentation Outline The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview Policy Perspectives Technical Perspectives Recent Events and the Way Forward

3. 3 Space The Backbone of GEOSS

4. 4 What is GEOSS? Technical Perspective An end-to-end system of existing systems (both in situ and remote sensing observation platforms) linked with new systems

5. 5 What is GEOSS? Policy Perspective GEOSS is a distributed system of systems built on current international cooperation efforts among existing Earth observing and processing systems GEOSS is Comprehensive—observations and products from all components Coordinated—leverages contributing members resources Sustained—by will and capacity of all members GEOSS enables the collection and distribution of accurate, reliable Earth Observation data, information, products, and services to both suppliers and consumers worldwide— through an end-to-end process

6. 6 From Observations to Benefits

7. 7 Why GEOSS? Social, Economic, & Science Imperatives The Ocean as an example: Better observations—tide gauges, buoys, sensors—will allow us to forecast with more accuracy allowing us to get our coastal communities more effective warnings More than half the world’s population lives within 60 km of the shoreline, & this could rise to 3/4 by the year 2020 More than 90% of natural disaster-related deaths occur in developing countries 25% of Earth’s biological productivity & an estimated 80-90% of global commercial fish catch is concentrated in coastal zones Worldwide agricultural benefits of better El Niño forecasts are conservatively estimated at $450-$550M/year

8. 8 Presentation Outline The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview Policy Perspectives Technical Perspectives Recent Events and the Way Forward

9. 9 Policy Challenges Harnessing the political will of nearly 60 countries Incorporating over 40 international organizations such as IOC, WMO, ISDR and UNEP These organizations – even different U.N. agencies - don’t always talk to each other GEO offers a mechanism for coordination

10. 10 GEOSS Overview EOS I July 31, 2003, Washington, D.C. 34 Countries + 20 International Organizations EOS II April 25, 2004, Tokyo, Japan 43 Countries + EC + 26 International Organizations EOS III February 2005, Brussels 60 Countries + EC + 34 International Organizations 10-Year Implementation Plan Commerce Secretary Gutierrez led the US delegation EOS III EOS II EOS I

11. 11 GEO I Geneva, Switzerland First meeting of new GEO at WMO headquarters on May 3-4 Iceland recognized as newest member of growing effort GEO agreed to 12 member Executive Committee Africa (2), Americas (3), Asia and Oceania (3), Commonwealth of Independent States (1), Europe (3) Co-Chairs: US, EC (developed); China, South Africa (developing) Tsunami Update – IOC

12. 12 3 2 3 1 3 AmericasEuropeAfricaAsia/Oceania Commonwealth of Independent States Brazil Honduras USA European Commission Italy Germany South Africa Morocco Russia China Japan Thailand GEO Executive Committee

13. 13 GEO ExCom Initial Meeting Immediately after GEO I (June, Geneva) Establish Functions and Roles ExCom = Working Body / GEO = Decision Body Set Up Committee Structure S&T Mechanism User Interface Mechanism Architecture Data Policy

14. 14 U.S. Contribution to GEOSS An Interagency Effort

15. 15 Public Engagement is a Priority Public Engagement Workshop—Continuing the Dialogue Washington, DC, May 9-10 +400 attendees from all sectors Discussion of Societal Benefit Areas Discussion of Near Term Opportunities Integration Frameworks  Data Management  Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings  Global Land Observing System  Sea Level Observing System  National Integrated Drought Information System  Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System

16. 16 Presentation Outline The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview Policy Perspectives Technical Perspectives Recent Events and the Way Forward

17. 17 Technical Advancements… Geostationary Satellites CIMSS Current GOES Sounder coverage in one hour GOES-R HES Sounder coverage in one hour Much improved spatial and temporal coverage GOES-R: New generation of current U.S. geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES) series

18. 18 Technical Advancements… Polar Satellites NPOESS: National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Advanced imager offers near-constant resolution across scan Additionally, VIIRS brings a great increase in multispectral channels OLSAVHRRVIIRS 2622

19. 19 … Bring Technical Challenges Data Management Needs New Systems mean 100-fold increase in data Current systems already face challenges Development of browser and visualization systems— underpinned by core geospatial technologies Interoperability through protocols and standards

20. 20 Architecture Needs Support for a range of implementation options Addressing planned, research and operational systems Interfaced capabilities through interoperability specifications Inclusion of metadata and quality indicators Continuity of observations, and instigation of new observations Building on existing systems and historical data In U.S., focus on Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework

21. 21 Architecture Targets: GEO Within two years, GEOSS will: Advocate formal commitments of contributions by GEO Members and Participating Organizations Produce a publicly accessible, network-distributed catalogue Establish and maintain a process for reaching interoperability arrangements Advocate use of existing Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) components as institutional and technical precedents Develop a cost-and-benefit-sharing mechanism(s) for observations

22. 22 Presentation Outline The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview Policy Perspectives Technical Perspectives Recent Events and the Way Forward

23. 23 The Indian Ocean Tragedy Frequent Question: Why did it happen?

24. 24 Why Observations Matter After-the-fact data from research altimeter shows tsunami as it propagated in the Indian Ocean Chart shows actual observation (in black) compared with model (in blue) Models have much room for improvement

25. 25 To Get Involved… Alliance for Earth Observations Serves as a communication link between the industrial, non- governmental, academic and governmental sectors; Encourages broad participation in the development of a national strategy for Earth observations http://www.strategies.org/alliance For more information on on the U.S. Group on Earth Observations: http://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov

26. 26 Questions?