Reinventing the Climate Observation Program

“In order to survive, government programs need toreinvent themselves every 5-10 years.”

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Original target: $141 M by 2010

Maximum executableramp = $17 M/yr

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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 ProgramInventing the Climate Observation Program

• Trenberth, Karl, and Spence: Trenberth, Karl, and Spence: The Need for a Systems The Need for a Systems Approach to Climate ObservationsApproach to Climate Observations, BAMS 2002, BAMS 2002• Observing Observing systemsystem means a comprehensive approach means a comprehensive approach

including:including:Climate observationsClimate observationsGlobal telecommunicationsGlobal telecommunicationsGlobal and regional analysisGlobal and regional analysisData assimilation and climate models making ensemble Data assimilation and climate models making ensemble

predictionspredictionsA climate observations oversight and monitoring center that A climate observations oversight and monitoring center that

tracks performance, data, processing. This center must have tracks performance, data, processing. This center must have resources and influence to fix problems and be a prominent resources and influence to fix problems and be a prominent voice when observational systems are established.voice when observational systems are established.

Proof of Concept 2003-2007Proof of Concept 2003-2007Office of Climate ObservationOffice of Climate Observation

• 2003 NOAA Annual Operating Plan, Q-3 Milestone:2003 NOAA Annual Operating Plan, Q-3 Milestone:

Establish a center to manage the climate observing Establish a center to manage the climate observing system under the auspices of the NOAA Climate Program system under the auspices of the NOAA Climate Program Office. Accomplished.Office. Accomplished.

• The word “center” carried too much baggage.The word “center” carried too much baggage.• The “Project Office” for Climate Observation The “Project Office” for Climate Observation

(OCO) was established as a pilot project.(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 ObservationProject Office for Climate Observation

Management Plan (Terms of Reference)Management Plan (Terms of Reference)

• Task -- Build and sustain a global climate observing Task -- Build and sustain a global climate observing system.system.– Subtask 1 -- Monitor the status of the globally Subtask 1 -- Monitor the status of the globally

distributed networks; report system statistics and distributed networks; report system statistics and metrics routinely and on demandmetrics routinely and on demand

– Subtask 2 -- Evaluate the effectiveness of the system; Subtask 2 -- Evaluate the effectiveness of the system; recommend improvementsrecommend improvements

– Subtask 3 -- Advance the multi-year Program Plan; Subtask 3 -- Advance the multi-year Program Plan; evolve the in situ networks through directed fundingevolve the in situ networks through directed funding

– Subtask 4 -- Focus intra-agency, interagency, and Subtask 4 -- Focus intra-agency, interagency, and international coordinationinternational coordination

– Subtask 5 -- Organize external review and user Subtask 5 -- Organize external review and user feedbackfeedback

– Subtask 6 -- Produce annual reports on the state of the Subtask 6 -- Produce annual reports on the state of the ocean and the adequacy of the observing system for ocean and the adequacy of the observing system for climateclimate

Some external pressure/influenceSome 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 2007.

• 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 CWG: [Elements] required to demonstrate the value of observations:value of observations:– Good data managementGood data management– Partnering with producers of products, modeling, and Partnering with producers of products, modeling, and

assessment activitiesassessment activities– A clear process for evolutionA clear process for evolution– Aided by the establishment of a Project Office for Climate Aided by the establishment of a Project Office for Climate

Observation, which we see as a good step.Observation, which we see as a good step.

• A concept of evolution:A concept of evolution:

ResearchResearchProgramProgram Project OfficeProject Office Center ofCenter of

OperationsOperations

InternationalInternationalSupport CenterSupport Center

PIsPIs ProjectProjectManagersManagers

Team ofTeam ofExpertsExperts

Centers ofCenters ofExpertiseExpertise

ARCARCOperationalOperationalCentersCenters

OperationalOperationalCenterCenter