1. IEEE
June 11, 2010

2. IEEE TAG
June 11, 2010 2

3. Tom Wiener Chair, ICEO t.wiener@ieee.org
GEOSS Development
An IEEE Success Story
“The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is a coordinating and integrating network of Earth observing and information systems, contributed on a voluntary basis by Members and Participating Organizations of the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO).”
Its purpose is “To support informed decision making for society, including the implementation of international environmental treaty obligations.”
The IEEE has been involved in its development from the outset. The IEEE has been particularly successful because it brings a unique point of view and impetus to the effort of a policy-oriented organization as it assembles a system of systems
Tom Wiener
Chair, ICEO
Mike Lightner, Chair-Elect
Jay Pearlman, Chair
June 11, 2010
9/21/2018

4. Earth Observations A Basis for Sustainable Development
Improved Understanding for Global Management
Ocean
Health
Land
Ecosystems
Disasters
Atmosphere
Climate
A Basis for Sustainable Development
June 11, 2010

5. Framework Group on Earth Observations
Global Earth Observation System of Systems
IEEE-GEO Collaboration
Opportunities
June 11, 2010

6. Group on Earth Observations
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7. FIRST MEETING
An Intergovernmental group with 81 Members and 58 Participating Organizations
U.S. Department of State, Washington DC
July 31, 2003
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8. GEO
Response to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and to G8 leaders
Voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations
Framework to coordinate strategies and investments
Charged with developing GEOSS
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9. …we will accelerate efforts within the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), ... in priority areas, inter alia, climate change and water resources management, by strengthening observation, prediction and data sharing ... capacity building for developing countries … interoperability and linkage …
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10. Global Earth Observation System of Systems
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11. GEOSS Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive Sustained System of Observing Systems
GEOSS is a global distributed system, including satellite observation systems, Global in situ networks and systems, And local and regional in situ networks.
GEOSS will deliver the benefits of EO to both data & information providers and consumers world wide.
June 11, 2010

12. GEOSS Vision
is to realize a future wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed via coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observations and information.
June 11, 2010

13. What is a “System of Systems?”
Definition:
A System-of-Systems (SoS) is a “super-system” comprised of elements that are themselves complex, independent systems which interact to achieve a common goal.
Common Characteristics:
The component systems achieve well-substantiated purposes in their own right even if detached from the overall system
Not just a large, complex system
The components systems are managed in large part for their own purposes rather than the purposes of the whole
Constructed of Independent systems
It exhibits behavior, including emergent behavior, not achievable by the component systems acting independently
Value of the synergy
Component systems, functions, and behaviors may be added or removed during its use
Dynamic, open environment
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14. Three perceptions of “A System of Systems”
A System for Integrating
Observation, Modeling, and
Data Management Systems
Disaster
Health
Energy
Climate
A System for
Coordinating the Nine
Socio Benefit Areas
Water
This picture shows ministers and representatives of the participated countries and organizations in the 3rd Earth Observation Summit held in Brussels on February 16, 2005.
Representatives of around 60 nations and over 40 international organisations will endorse a 10-year plan with concrete steps towards comprehensive co-operation in Earth observation.
Over the next decade, this system will increase our understanding of the Earth and how it works. With benefits as broad as the planet itself, this initiative promises to make peoples and economies around the globe healthier, safer and better equipped to manage their basic daily needs. The aim is to create an observation system as interrelated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects, providing the science on which sound policy and decision-making can be built.
Weather
A System for Converging
Observation Systems Worldwide
Ecosystem
Agriculture
Biodiversity 14
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15. GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems
An integrating infrastructure for Earth observing and information systems to inform decision making for society
2015: Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and Sustained System of Observing Systems
June 11, 2010

16. GEOSS Objectives Improve and Coordinate Observation Systems
Provide Open Data Access
Foster Use
Build Capacity
Identify gaps in observations based on user requirements
Seven shortcoming were identified as target areas that GEOSS could address:
Lack of access to data and associated benefits in the developing world
Eroding technical infrastructure
Large spatial and temporal gaps in specific data sets
Inadequate data integration and interoperability
Uncertainty over continuity of observations
Inadequate user involvement
Lack of relevant processing systems to transform data into useful information
June 11, 2010

17. Strategic Goals Sustain operation of networks and components
Address data sharing
Implement interoperability
Build capacity
Catalyze investments
Foster R&D
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18. GEOSS Development 10-Year Development Plan Two-Year Work Plan
Two-Year Work Plan
Current plan for
June 11, 2010

19. Grand Challenge: The Environment and Earth Observation
I’m sure we can all agree that there are many grand challenges related to the environment. IEEE programs and publications address many of them from alternate fuels, including wind power, solar power and fuel cells to the development of electric and hybrid autos and green engineering.
For today’s discussion I want to call your attention to another grand challenge -- a relatively new endeavor, spearheaded at IEEE by our geoscience and remote sensing community. Like megacities, Earth observation is another grand challenge that has many complex interconnected issues all related to the environment, and health and well being of the world’s population.
GEOSS is a global, coordinated, comprehensive, sustained system of earth observing systems.
Global Earth Observation System-of-Systems
June 11, 2010

20. GEOSS Development Successes
GEO boosts access to data for Haiti earthquake
US, China, Brazil offer free data
GEOBON informs biodiversity decisions – creating global networks
GEO stimulates global R&D programs and international collaborations
Members and Participants fund their own activities
June 11, 2010

21. GEOSS Development Challenges Interoperability Open data access
Participant funding self-generated 21
June 11, 2010

22. Data Sharing Full Open Exchange of Data Minimum time delay, cost
Recognizing Relevant International Instruments and National Policies and Legislation
Minimum time delay, cost
Free of Charge or Cost of Reproduction for Research and Education
See slide text
June 11, 2010

23. Interoperability
Interoperable Architecture and Standard Formats
Technical Specifications for Collecting, Processing, Storing, and Disseminating Data and Products
Non-proprietary Standards
Defining System Compliance for Contribution
As a "System of Systems", the success of GEOSS depends on how well the contributed systems achieve "Interoperability".
Here, interoperability is that condition wherein differences among systems are not a barrier to a task that spans those systems. The focus is on how systems work together. GEOSS itself does not delve into how the contributed systems operate within themselves.
The GEOSS Implementation Plan Reference Document makes this statement:
"GEOSS does not mean an attempt to incorporate all Earth observing systems into a single, monolithic, centrally controlled system.
It is intended to improve the data supply to users and not as a justification for annexing existing observation and data distribution systems into a new international organization."
Put another way, the GEOSS architecture will specify just those "few things that must be the same so that everything else can be different".
June 11, 2010

24. GEOSS Work Plan Organization
Cross-cutting Committees
ADC STC
CBC UIC
Societal Benefit Areas
June 11, 2010

25. Societal Benefits Disasters Water Ecosystems Health Energy Agriculture
Weather
Climate
Biodiversity
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26. GEO-IEEE Collaboration
June 11, 2010

27. Societies & Councils participate in GEO
AESS/ Sys Council
System of Systems
South Africa Space Tech
ComSoc
Advanced Comm for GEOSS
Computer
Save Earth Game for young adults
EMBS
Health and Environment
South Africa Advisor
J-STARS
GRS-S
OES
Ocean Information System for GEOSS
June 11, 2010

28. IEEE Successes and Impacts in GEOSS
Leading Standards and Interoperability
Sponsoring Global Workshops and Publications
Water for the World Pilot Projects
European Commission
South Africa
India
USA
ISPRS
OGC
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29. IEEE-GEO Workshops Boston, USA-08 Air Quality & coastal Ecosystems
Quebec, Canada-08
Science Modeling &
Data Policy
Valencia-08
Architecture
Of GEOSS
Krakow-10
Drought, Biodiversity, Forests
Toronto, Canada-08
UIC workshop
Geneva-09
Health
Kobe, Japan-08
Oceans & Water
Seattle-10
Ocean Observation
Beijing-08
Air Quality & Health
San Francisco-09
Water
Honolulu-10
Data Quality & Spectrum Allocation
Bucharest-10
Black Sea
Dates and Details on iceo website.
25th workshop will be
GEOSS Workshop XXV-Architecture of GEOSS
Dec 06, Dec 07, Valencia, Spain
Kampala-09
Disasters
Honolulu-08
Communications &
disaster management
Accra-08
Water Security & Ecosystems
Oslo-10
Polar Climate
Santiago-10
Forest & Bio-Energy
Washington-09
Health
June 11, 2010

30. Earthzine GEO Outreach Task Successful and growing
Editor-in-Chief
Paul Racette
GSFC
Earthzine
GEO Outreach Task
Successful and growing
Current article: Nutritious Potato a Global Source of Sustainable Food and Income
Current person: Judith Curry On the Credibility of Climate Research
Always looking for writers and syndications
June 11, 2010

31. Water Harvesting Food Security
Collaboration: villagers, local industries, NGO, ISRO, IEEE, international consultants
Regional training leading to regional and international expansion
June 11, 2010

32. IEEE Successes and Impacts in GEOSS
Leading Standards and Interoperability
Sponsoring Global Workshops and Publications
Water for the World Pilot Projects
Recognized for leadership contributions
Building relationships with governments and international organizations
European Commission
South Africa
India
USA
ISPRS
OGC
June 11, 2010

33. Advisor to Nations
IEEE has a wealth of expertise that has not been organized to provide specific advice/studies for Governments beyond US
South Africa as Pilot - Initially funded by NIC - now self-sustaining
June 11, 2010

34. South Africa Partnering with SA Government and IEEE SA Section for
Human Capacity Development
Satellite Calibration
Energy
Rural Communications
Telemedicine
June 11, 2010

35. GEO Portal
Web-based interface for searching and accessing data, information, imagery, services, applications
Connects users reliable, up-to-date, integrated user-friendly information
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36. June 11, 2010

37. GCI Operational View Understand Requirements Data Use
Capacity Building
& Feed back
State of Play
Discovery
Gap Analyses
Data Policy
Interoperability
Harmonization
Data Quality
Prototyping
Data Access
Harmonize
Data
Filling Data
Gaps
User Requirements
Inventory and Gaps
R&D Development
Operations
Services &Registries
USER
June 11, 2010

38. GEOSS SIR
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39. GEOSS Standards Registry
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40. GEOSS Best Practices Wiki
June 11, 2010

41. GEO Portal Entry
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42. GEO Portal
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43. GEO Portal - Water
June 11, 2010

44. IEEE-GEO Collaboration supports IEEE Goals (1)
Standards – ICEO initiated SCC-40 Earth Observation
IEEE leads GEO Standards & Interoperability Forum
Smart Grid – IEEE leads the GEO Energy Community of Practice
Public Visibility – Current focus is Sustainable World, object of GEO
June 11, 2010

45. IEEE-GEO Collaboration supports IEEE Goals (2)
Medical Informatics - IEEE leads the GEOSS Task on Information Systems for Health
India – IEEE Water for the World Water Harvesting Pilot Project
Education – IEEE contributes to GEO capacity building globally
June 11, 2010

46. IEEE-GEO Collaboration An IEEE Success Story
Great opportunities!
Well-organized substantial group of volunteers
Countries
Societies
Pursuing Societal Benefits
Spanning
Come and Play ...
Recognized and Appreciated
Working with Societies Councils Sections
Other OUs
Financially healthy
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47. ICEO
What we do in this generation will determine the destiny of our children’s children.d
June 11, 2010

48. IEEE
Thank You
June 11, 2010