Earth Observation Summit 2003 NOAA Science Advisory Board Gregory W. Withee Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services March 18, 2003 NOAA Science Advisory Board Gregory W. Withee Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services March 18, 2003

Earth Observation Summit Proposal Elements Proposal Approved: The interagency Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) approved NOAA’s proposal to host, with White House involvement, an Earth Observation Summit in summer 2003 to promote the value of, and participation in, an integrated global observing system. Purpose: To achieve a high-level declaration of support for integrated space-based, aerial and in situ observations to help understand, predict and address such global problems as energy, water, food, climate, and sustainable development. Proposal Approved: The interagency Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) approved NOAA’s proposal to host, with White House involvement, an Earth Observation Summit in summer 2003 to promote the value of, and participation in, an integrated global observing system. Purpose: To achieve a high-level declaration of support for integrated space-based, aerial and in situ observations to help understand, predict and address such global problems as energy, water, food, climate, and sustainable development.

Earth Observation Summit Elements Outcomes: Capture the attention of senior G-8 and other key international officials to support global environmental observations and development of an integrated global observing system Provide exposure to and engage the support and involvement of key international funding mechanisms (World Bank, GEF, etc.) Lay the foundation for all nations to coordinate climate observations at an upcoming Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Motivate developed nations to match U.S. commitments to help improve observing systems in developing countries and capacity building Strengthen the concept of an Integrated Global Observing System Outcomes: Capture the attention of senior G-8 and other key international officials to support global environmental observations and development of an integrated global observing system Provide exposure to and engage the support and involvement of key international funding mechanisms (World Bank, GEF, etc.) Lay the foundation for all nations to coordinate climate observations at an upcoming Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Motivate developed nations to match U.S. commitments to help improve observing systems in developing countries and capacity building Strengthen the concept of an Integrated Global Observing System

Earth Observation Summit Elements Why Now? NOAA is the current Co-Chair of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership, a 14-partner entity committed to addressing observational gaps and overlaps From the climate perspective, an EO Summit is the logical follow-on to the December 2002 Climate Change Workshop and will help focus national and international requirements The Summit would demonstrate U.S. commitment and leadership on the environment and make the point that we need better information for decision-makers Why Now? NOAA is the current Co-Chair of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership, a 14-partner entity committed to addressing observational gaps and overlaps From the climate perspective, an EO Summit is the logical follow-on to the December 2002 Climate Change Workshop and will help focus national and international requirements The Summit would demonstrate U.S. commitment and leadership on the environment and make the point that we need better information for decision-makers

Earth Observation Summit Potential Invitees Reception Invitees/Keynoters/Luncheon Panel Speakers to include –Senior U.S. Administration officials, including the key Cabinet Secretaries and the President’s Science Advisor –Ambassadors of the G-8 Nations and others such as Australia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa as well as senior representatives of the European Union –The UN Secretary-General or designated representative Meeting invitees to include: –Science Advisors/Ministers of the G-8 Nations and others such as Australia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa as well as senior representatives of the European Union –IGOS Partner Executives (CEOS, WMO, UNEP, UNESCO, FAO, ICSU, the Global Climate, Ocean and Terrestrial Observing Systems, and international research partners) –Developed country agency heads responsible for in situ observations –Appropriate senior-level officials from the U.S. Administration including Climate Change Research Partners, as well as the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and other major funding organizations Reception Invitees/Keynoters/Luncheon Panel Speakers to include –Senior U.S. Administration officials, including the key Cabinet Secretaries and the President’s Science Advisor –Ambassadors of the G-8 Nations and others such as Australia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa as well as senior representatives of the European Union –The UN Secretary-General or designated representative Meeting invitees to include: –Science Advisors/Ministers of the G-8 Nations and others such as Australia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa as well as senior representatives of the European Union –IGOS Partner Executives (CEOS, WMO, UNEP, UNESCO, FAO, ICSU, the Global Climate, Ocean and Terrestrial Observing Systems, and international research partners) –Developed country agency heads responsible for in situ observations –Appropriate senior-level officials from the U.S. Administration including Climate Change Research Partners, as well as the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and other major funding organizations

CENR Earth Observation Task Group Following CENR agreement on December 2, 2002, an Earth Observation Task Group was formed on December 17, 2002, with the mandate to: –Prepare for an Earth Observation Summit, including scientific and logistical considerations –Develop the framework for a comprehensive Earth observation system, including assessment of current capabilities and evaluation of requirements to sustain and evolve the system CENR agencies invited to nominate representative to Task Group Task Group Co-Chairs: –Gregory Withee, NOAA –Ghassem Asrar, NASA Professional Staff assigned: –Ron Birk, NASA –Linda Moodie, NOAA –David Halpern, OSTP

Earth Observation Summit Timeline 2002 Oct-NovBrief and gain consensus of key USG partners November 21USG Deputy Secretaries are briefed and concur December 2Inaugural CENR meeting approves Earth Observation Summit December 3-5Announcement at US Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Workshop December 9-12Potential announcement by OSTP at G-8 Science Advisors Meeting December 17Interagency Earth Observation Task Group formed December 20Task Group Co-Chairs meet 2003 January 9Interagency Working Group on Climate briefed January 14Interagency WG on Observations and Monitoring and WG on Data Mgt sent briefing January 15-16NOAA Council on Long-term Climate Monitoring briefed JanuaryEarth Observation Summit draft Prospectus and Declaration to be developed January 30Earth Observation Task Group meets February 26-28Presentation to Space and Environment Symposium MarchInvitations issued AprilConveyance of EO Summit Prospectus and US CCSP Strategic Plan to invitees April 7-11Presentation to GCOS Steering Committee MayUS intervention at UNFCCC Subsidiary Body June 5-6Presentation to IGOS Partnership and potential EO event for UNESCO Ambassadors July 31Earth Observation Summit takes place DecemberPotential discussion of climate observation implementation at UNFCCC COP Continue to work towards building an integrated global observing system