EPA’s Strength in Both GEOSS & ESIP;

Environmental Health Decisionmaking

January 10, 2008

George Gray, Ph.D.

Assistant AdministratorEPA Office of Research and Development

Earth System ModelsWeatherClimateAtmosphereOthers…

Earth Observation SystemsRemotely-sensedIn situ

Decision Support

On-going feedback to optimizevalue and reduce gaps

Policy Decisions

ManagementDecisions

PersonalDecisions

SocietalBenefits

DATA

Predictions

Observations

Linking Earth Observations to Societal Benefits

Report on the Environment (ROE)

• Compilation of indicators

• Evaluation of trends

• Input for strategic outlook and priorities

Definition of Indicator

• “For EPA’s Report on the Environment, an indicator is a numerical value derived from actual measurements of a pressure, state or ambient condition, exposure, or human health or ecological condition over a specified geographic domain, whose trends over time represent or draw attention to underlying trends in the condition of the environment.”

Criteria for Indicators• The indicator is useful. It answers (or makes an important

contribution to answering) a question in the ROE. • The indicator is objective. It is developed and presented in

an accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner. • The indicator is transparent and reproducible. The specific

data used and the specific assumptions, analytic methods, and statistical procedures employed are clearly stated.

• The underlying data are characterized by sound collection methodologies, data management systems to protect its integrity, and quality assurance procedures.

• Data are available to describe changes or trends and the latest available data are timely.

• The data are comparable across time and space, and representative of the target population. Trends depicted in this indicator accurately represent the underlying trends in the target population.

Structure of ROE

• Organized around 27 questions considered to be important to EPA’s mission

• Includes 87 peer-reviewed indicators

• Trends evaluated in five areas: air, water, land, human health, and ecosystems

Examples of Key Questions

• What are the trends in outdoor air quality and their effects on human health and the environment?

• What are the trends in greenhouse gas emissions and concentrations?

• What are the trends in extent and condition of fresh surface waters and their effects on human health and the environment?

• What are the trends in health status in the U.S.?• The extent and distribution of the Nation’s

ecological systems?

Challenges and Opportunities

• Data gaps

• Indicator research

• Analysis of trends

• Strategic planning

Status of ROE

• First version of ROE (Draft) Released June 2003

• Second version of ROE Being revised to address SAB and

public comments and include latest year of data

Expected for release Spring of 2008 (Earth Day)

http://www.epa.gov/ord/roe

Outcome Performance Evaluation Framework for GEOSS

Outcomes Impacts

The 9 Societal Benefit Areas

SecondaryBenefits

Level 1

Uptake of GEO standards, etc. and implementation of GEO recommend-ations

Level 2

Changes to information system inter-operability & information accessibility

Level 3

Changes to decision support (end user) products & services

Level 4

Responses by affected populations to improved decision support

GEOSS

GEOProcesses

ProcessOutputs

Process Outcomes

GEO & GEO Secretariat

Outcome Performance Indicators for GEOSS

• Examples of Outcome Performance Indicators that were developed in 2007:

Canada developed draft indicators on Soil Moisture

U.S. EPA developed draft indicators on Air Quality (AIRNow – International)

Any Questions?