The Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) and e-collaboration IST4Balt workshop, Riga, April 2007 Alexei Gvishiani, and the eGY Team

Responses AVO – Astrophysical Virtual Observatory NVO – US National Virtual Observatory VCO – Virtual Carbon Observatory VGMO – Virtual Geomagnetic Observatory VHO – Virtual Heliophysical Observatory ViRBO – Virtual Radiation Belt Observatory VMO – Virtual Magnetospheric Observatories VOO - Virtual Ocean Observatory VSN – Virtual Seismic Network VSO – Virtual Solar Observatory ……. One Geology CGI ESSI GEOSS US National Geoinformatics

Geoinformatics journals 1.Computers and Geoscience, Elsevier. 2.Data Science Journal, CODATA. 3.Advances in Geosciences, EGU 4.Earth Science Informatics - planned by Springer-Verlag for AGU ESSI (with EGU?) is contemplating a new Earth & Space Science Informatics journal 6.Geo Informatics – a magazine for surveying, mapping, and GIS professionals 7. Geoinformatica – journal of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Earth - a complex system

“Knowledge is the common wealth of humanity.” Adama Samassekou Convener of the UN World Summit on the Information Society

I International Polar Year I IPY began on 1 August Its program comprised : research into phenomena and processes going on in high latitudes of Northern hemisphere; research in weather affecting the climate of the Earth and in drifting ice; geomagnetic phenomena in the areas around the magnetic pole of the Earth. It was for the first time in history that scientists of 11 countries joined their efforts to accomplish this program. Academician of Petersburg AS G. I. Vildt, the Russian representative, was elected President of International Polar Commission, which headed all the activities of the first IPG.

II IPY began on 1 August 1932 Its program included: the studies of magnetic storms, aurora borealis, ionosphere condition, cosmic ray flow reaching the Earth, and weather phenomena and their interrelations with processes going on in the Sun. Scientists from 44 countries participated in the Second International Polar Year. Work was carried out in more than 100 stations; a half of them were set up in northern and southern high-latitude areas. Data obtained in the II IPY were not used completely because the Second World War had stopped the cooperation of researchers. Not all data collected during II IPY had been published by the beginning of the war and some data were destroyed in bombardments and lost for science. Many materials could only be used if compared with analogs. Nevertheless the II International Polar Year was a milestone in the studies of the Earth. The achievements as well as failures of the II IPY suggested the necessity of coordinated activities of geophysicists of all the countries in the world. II International Polar Year

III IGY began on 1 July 1957 After the end of the Second World War the world scientific community began to make preparations for the next Polar Year. Taking into consideration more expanded tasks of research this intention was transformed into the idea of the International Geophysical Year, which would not be restricted by studies in high latitudes. The IGY was the greatest scientific international enterprise in the middle of the XX century. Scientists of 67 countries, which makes about two thirds of all the countries of the world at that time, participated in it. Subsequently on the initiative of Soviet scientists the IGY was extended to 1959 and named “International geophysical cooperation” in order to continue collecting data and to use the equipment that had been delivered to difficult terrains. III International Geophysical Year

The International Polar Year is a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March IPY, organized through the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is actually the fourth polar year, following those in , , and In order to have full and equal coverage of both the Arctic and the Antarctic, IPY covers two full annual cycles from March 2007 to March 2009 and will involve over 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics. It is also an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate, follow, and get involved with, cutting edge science in real-time. IV International Polar Year

International Geophysical Year –allowed scientists to participate in global observations of geoscience phenomena using common instruments and data processing –gathered data from around the world –established the World Data Centre system

eGY embraces and extends IGY principles… International cooperation and data sharing Universal access to data and information Timely and convenient access to data Global, cross-disciplinary scope Data preservation Capacity building, especially in developing countries Education, public outreach, information for decision making

ICSU Unions - GeoUnions

philosophy In the geosciences, as in other disciplines, ready and open access to the vast and growing collections of cross-disciplinary digital information is the key to understanding and responding to complex Earth system phenomena that influence human survival. We have a shared responsibility to create and implement strategies to realise the full potential of digital information and services for present and future generations.

GEOSS

An IUGG initiative led by sponsored by NSF, IUGG, IAGA, NASA, CODATA in-kind support from LASP, NCAR, NOAA, USGS NSIDC, BAS, INAF, … eGY Secretariat, LASP, Boulder, CO

What is eGY about? eGY is a cooperative international effort to address the challenges of modern data stewardship, interoperability, and integrative science: –Ready and open access to distributed data, information, and services –Access to large, complex, and cross-disciplinary data sets –Real-time access and assimilation of data into models –Data integration and knowledge discovery –Data discovery (who holds what, where, how?) –Data release (securing access permission) –Preservation of existing and future data –Data rescue (identifying and rescuing critical data sets at risk) –Education and public outreach; informing decision makers –Advancement of science in developing countries (reducing the digital divide)

The three ingredients of information BORROMEAN RINGS © 2005 EvREsearch LTD EvREsearch©

role Provide an international, cooperative environment to –inform – inspire –facilitate –encourage –promote

is an opportunity to Find out who is doing what Share experience and expertise Coordinate activities Reduce replication of effort Promote common practices (standards) Widen participation Reduce the digital divide Raise awareness of the need for modern, professional data stewardship Educate; influence decision makers Inspire public interest. A4 USLetter

themes Data access Data discovery Data release Data preservation Data rescue Outreach & Education Capacity building Data analysis VHO architecture

structure Secretariat (at LASP, Univ. Colorado) Director Dan Baker, LASP Secretary: Bill Peterson Communications: Marissa Rusinek Public Relations and E/PO: Emily CoBabe-Ammann International Committee Chair: Charlie Barton Representatives from key participants and countries Thematic Working Groups Virtual Observatories: Peter Fox Data Integration & Knowledge Discovery Paul Berkman Best Practice (joint with CODATA): Herb Kroehl, Jean Bonnin Data Rescue and Preservation: Jeff Love Education and Public Outreach: Emily CoBabe-Ammann

deliverables Messages and visibility Publications, eGY News, Showcase demonstrations Meetings, workshops, and symposia (see calendar) Facilitation A mandate for action -international science year program -Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons Connectivity to experts and peers Network of National Committees Services E/PO program using Virtual Observatories e-Africa

events Jul 2006 AOGS, Singapore Jul 2006 COSPAR, Beijing Oct 2006 CODATA, Beijing Nov 2996 WDCs meeting, Kiev Dec 2006 Fall AGU, San Francisco Mar 2007 eGY General Meeting, NCAR, Boulder Apr 2007 EGU, Vienna May 2007 AGU Joint Assy, Accapulco Ist July 07 Launch of eGY (and IGY+50 events) Jul 2007 IUGG General Assembly, Perugia Sep 2007Suzdal, Russia Dec 2007 Fall AGU, San Francisco Mar 2008 eGY General Meeting Aug 2008IGC-33Oslo, Norway Oct 2008CODATA Conference Dec 2008Fall AGU, San Francisco 31 Dec 08Close of eGY

provides Networks of people Newsletter Website Events at conferences Meetings eGY Declaration Showcase demonstrations Support for other initiatives

Showcase Demonstrations Virtual Space Physics Observatory Aaron Roberts IRIS GeoWSJoanna Muench Virtual Observatories in the Classroom Emily CoBabe-Ammann, Peter Fox Disaster Management Information Clearinghouse Eliot Christian The CAP Warning StandardEliot Christian MADRIGALJohn Holt

Challenging the “heroic” science funding paradigm Do our reward systems recognise that making data and information easily accessible shifts work and responsibility from the user to the provider?

Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons “Knowledge is the common wealth of humanity” Adama Samassekou, Convener of the UN World Summit on the Information Society The principles on which eGY is based have been articulated by ICSU, the World Summit on the Information Society, CODATA, and other bodies. The principles are encapsulated in the eGY Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons - a statement of aspirations and principles of data stewardship.

Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons PREAMBLE Article 1: Data access Earth system data and information should be made available electronically with interoperable approaches that facilitate open access. Article 2: Data release Owners, custodians, and creators of Earth system data should work together to share their digital information with the world community, though in a manner that respects propriety requirements and security constraints. Article 3: Data description Providers and users of Earth system data and information should share descriptions of structure, content, and contexts to facilitate interoperability and the discovery of relationships within and between information resources. Article 4: Data persistence Data and information about the Earth system should be preserved and sustained in forms that are both software and hardware independent so as to be openly accessible today and in the future. Article 5: Data rescue Effort should be made to identify and rescue critical Earth system data and ensure persistent access to them. Article 6: Common standards and cooperation Standards for interoperability should be identified, created, and implemented through international collaboration. Article 7: Capability building Communities with advanced information technology and communications capabilities should contribute to developing such capabilities elsewhere to reduce the digital divide. Article 8: Education and public outreach Students, scientists, decision-makers, and the public should be informed about and be enabled to contribute to our understanding and management of the Earth system phenomena that influence human survival.

eGY News lists Sign the ‘Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons’ Interested in getting involved?

What value can eGY add? IGY+50 provides a natural focus and timely opportunity to help existing efforts and inspire new activities in the geosciences.

Explore the website: Review recent eGY presentations and posters Get eGY News (sign up on the home page) Subscribe to the eGY list of your choice: eGYTeam (for management correspondence), eGY_Participants (for most people), or eGY_Observers (main notices only) by request to: Contact the eGY Secretary: 1. Learn about eGY

Identify the eGY theme areas that interest you in relation to your work Undertake eGY-related activities to build your own and other’s capabilities Consider creating a Virtual Observatory Encourage agencies, programs, national bodies, and committees within your community to become active in issues of modern data and information management Use the eGY interval, Jul Dec 2008, as a target date. Assign eGY -related responsibilities to a Task Group or Committee. Report eGY developments and opportunities to your community. Access expertise through the eGY networks. Use the eGY newsletter, website, and meetings to promote your activities. Use eGY to help justify bids for national and international funding. 2. Use eGY in your workplace

To support eGY … Sign the Declaration Market and promote eGY Publish news articles about eGY and its messages Use the eGY logo and brand name to mark activities, events, publications, communications, and so on Join an eGY Working Group / create a new one Serve on the International Committee Identify new opportunities for eGY Pass a resolution supporting eGY Attend conferences; help organise events Conferences : include an eGY windup event - celebrate IGY legacy, review eGY achievements, identify future steps Develop the website: Contribute to eGY policy, planning, and practice