U.S. Integrated Earth Observation SystemU.S. Integrated Earth Observation System

Gregory W. WitheeCo-chair, Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations

NOAA Science Advisory BoardNovember 2, 2004

Gregory W. WitheeCo-chair, Interagency Working Group on Earth Observations

NOAA Science Advisory BoardNovember 2, 2004

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Presentation Outline

Global Framework

U.S. Contribution to Global Earth Observation System of Systems

Societal Benefits

Implementation and Integration

Next Steps

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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

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U.S. Contribution to GEOSS

VISION

Enable a healthy public, economy, and planet through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation system.

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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

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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

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Linking Earth Observations to Societal Benefits

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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 WeatherForecasting

Develop the Capacity to Make

Ecological Forecasts

Support Sustainable Agriculture & Combat Land Degradation

Protect and Monitor our Ocean

Resource

Benefits Focus

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Implementation Approach

Interface With User Community

Collect Earth Observations

Manage Data

Sustain Capacity

Deliver Information

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Implementation Aspects

Policy and Planning Data Sharing Critical Observations

Technical Interoperability Data Management

Fiscal

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U.S. Governance Structure

OSTP/OMB guidance memo June 6, 2003

Earth Observation Subcommittee

Coordinated Interagency Approach Imperative

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Earth Observation Information

Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation Systemhttp://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/draftstrategicplan.asp

U.S. Interagency Working Group on Earth Observationshttp://IWGEO.ssc.nasa.gov/

Global Earth Observation System http://earthobservations.org/

Earth Observation Fact Sheet, Benefit Sheets for all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Tribal Nationshttp://www.epa.gov/geoss/benefits

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Comment on theDraft Strategic Plan for the US Integrated Earth Observation System

Comment period open until November 8, 2004

Electronic Comments only

Send to iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov

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Backup Slides…

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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

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Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings

Improved Monitoring = Improved Forecasting

Need for systematic, widespread coverage

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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

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Sea Level Observing System

Key Climate Variable 100 million people live

within 1 meter of sea level Global sea rise statistics

range form 9-88 centimeters

Discussion point of G8

Socio-Economic Implications for the Arctic

Alaskan villages susceptible to erosion and flooding

Estimated cost of relocation ~$1billion

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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 2323

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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