Which infrastructure for GEOSS? Max Craglia European Commission Joint Research Centre

Initial considerations (1/2) Many EO systems and thematic e-infrastructures already in place, serving their users well (e.g. WIS, GBIF, ICSU WDC, …) Each has its own standards & practices, and will this is unlikely to change, some degree of convergence is taking place Main users of EO so far have been scientists and data analysts, not the public or the private sector. Most experienced users go directly to the data providers or the relevant thematic portals, not through GEOSS. Added value of GEOSS is to make more data visible across thematic communities.

Initial considerations (2/2) GEOSS is more than just data. It is the focal point of GEO, and therefore it is instrumental in building a higher degree of coordination in the provision and maintenance of EO at the global level. One of the major achievements of GEO/GEOSS has been the promotion of full and open access to EO data at global level and the development of the GEOSS Data CORE, which is still underutilized.

The Changing Data Landscape According to SINTEF, 90% of all data in the world was collected in the last 2 years. Vastly more will come from new satellites, sensor networks, and people over the coming decade. Crowd-sourcing and citizen science are not just about more data but about new and collaborative modes of production and consumption. Number of near-polar orbiting land imaging civilian satellites 1972 to 2013. Source: Belward, Skøien, 2014 doi:10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2014.03.009

Looking Ahead Major challenge for GEO is to meet its vision whilst also addressing more directly the needs of the general public. There is a key role for the private sector here as it is better able than government to develop products and services targetted to a wide range of users. Another key challenge is to become more inclusive and harness the valuable contribution that the public can make to EO and environmental monitoring either through crowdsourcing activities (e.g. Zooniverse) or via mobile apps collecting both measurements and qualitative information on the perception of environmental change.

Key elements of mandate from 2014 GEO Plenary To reconfirm GEO’s guiding principles of collaboration …in developing and coordinating strategies [for] full and open access to Earth observations data and information to support timely and knowledge-based decision-making; To streamline the current GEOSS Common Infrastructure taking into account the latest technological developments To further develop GEO global initiatives To foster the engagement of GEO users, data providers and citizens so that they can benefit from the high potential of GEO's achievements…To broaden engagement and collaboration of decision-makers, …. non-governmental organizations; non-profit organizations, ….and the private sector.

How to get there: Possible levels of ambition Level 0 “GEOSS Light”: GEOSS as a platform for international collaboration in EO + agreements on GEOSS Data CORE, but limited goals on the GCI e.g. catalogue of EO resources. Level 1 “GEOSS Silver”: Level 0 + expanding number of complete and consistent open access data “Ready to Use”. This needs providers to restructure some of their database + a set of transformation services (space, time, reference systems) + semantic mappings so that there is a degree of consistency on classifications, definitions, methods, and quality parameters to enable direct use of the data. Level 2 “GEOSS Gold”: Level 1 + not just data but models, workflows, and context to enable processing of data into “reproducible” information products (RDA Open Science vision)

Current GCI has elements of all 3 levels Level 0 delivers metadata and requires time and money. We have achieved it although as data sources expand it will not be trivial to keep pace. Level 1 delivers ready-to-use data but requires organisational change. Some areas are there but in many instances we are still a long way from delivery. Level 2 delivers reproducible information and requires also cultural change. Some infrastructural parts are in place but the cultural change is just beginning.

More than one way to achieve the objectives The “Olympic Model”: regional caucuses developing their infrastructure and information hub taking into account of resources and specificity. The Flagship or Global Initiatives model (GEOGLAM, GEOSITES, GFOI, GEOBON, BluePlanet ) extending gradually based e.g. on essential variables and from Level 1 to 2. Or a mixture of the 2!

Public and Private sector roles and partnerships GEOSS has so far been mainly developed by the public sector for the public sector. As the data landscape evolves the private sector (and civil society) are becoming already much more prominent as data and information providers The private sector has a key role to play also in developing added value information products (level 2 to level 3) “to broaden engagement of multiple stakeholders” as per GEO Plenary 2014. With the welcome proliferation of actors contributing to the evolution of GEOSS, the public sector should maintain the role of guardian that GEOSS remains open, transparent, and inclusive with no discrimination and barriers to entry for any. The key challenge ahead is not technological but about governance, change management, and trust.