The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS):Policy and Technical PerspectivesMulti 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-ChairMay 16, 2005

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Presentation Outline

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview

Policy Perspectives

Technical Perspectives

Recent Events and the Way Forward

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SpaceThe Backbone of GEOSS

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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

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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

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From Observations to Benefits

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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

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Presentation Outline

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview

Policy Perspectives

Technical Perspectives

Recent Events and the Way Forward

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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

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GEOSS OverviewEOS 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

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GEO IGeneva, 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

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Americas Europe Africa Asia/Oceania

Commonwealth of Independent States

BrazilHondurasUSA

European CommissionItalyGermany

South AfricaMorocco

Russia

ChinaJapanThailand

GEO Executive Committee

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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

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U.S. Contribution to GEOSSAn Interagency Effort

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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

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Presentation Outline

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview

Policy Perspectives

Technical Perspectives

Recent Events and the Way Forward

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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

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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

OLS AVHRR VIIRS2 6 22

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… 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

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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

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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

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Presentation Outline

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Overview

Policy Perspectives

Technical Perspectives

Recent Events and the Way Forward

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The Indian Ocean Tragedy

Frequent Question:

Why did it happen?

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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

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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

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Questions?