1. eGY - the Electronic Geophysical Year, 2007-2008
IST Conference, Namibia, May 2008
eGY - the Electronic Geophysical Year,
eGY is a program of IUGG - the International Union of Geodesy & Geophysics
eGY is led by IAGA - the International Association of Geomagnetism & Aeronomy
The Secretariat is at LASP - the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado (LASP)
The main sponsors are the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and LASP
The Electronic Geophysical Year, (eGY) provides a cooperative international framework for developing the sharing of data and information about our planet and geospace. eGY adopts and extends the ideals of the International Geophysical Year fifty years ago, when the foundations of a global geoscience “information commons” were created. The need for information and understanding about the Earth has become yet more acute, our ability to collect data has mushroomed, and modern information and communications technologies are at our disposal. Several Earth and space science initiatives for collecting, preserving, and providing open access to data are already underway in response to these drivers. For example, the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). Scientists and decision makers from rich and poor countries alike can benefit from open access to data and information, but only within the limitations of their cyber-infrastructure. eGY is an opportunity to take steps to improve the cyber-infrastructure available to scientists and educators in Africa.
NSF

2. From IGY to eGY www.egy.org Data access Data discovery Data release
Data preservation
Data rescue
Outreach & Education
Capacity building (eGY-Africa)
eGY evolved from IGY and marks the 50-year anniversary of IGY
eGYbuilds on the IGY principles of international cooperation for observing the Earth and sharing data.(IGY successfully established an information commons)
The formal themes of eGY are shown in he lower left sectin of the slide.
Other “InternationalYeqr” activities are planned for IGY+50: IPY, Planet Earth and IHY.

3. The four International Science Years
- reincarnations of the International Geophysical Year
IPY
ICSU, WMO
Polar region research, infrastructure development, data management, education and training, involvement of local communities and the general public
IHY
ICSU, NASA
System-wide studies of the extended heliophysical domain.
IYPE
IUGS, UNESCO
Earth science for society - science and outreach
eGY
IUGG, IAGA, NSF,
LASP
Promotes an Earth and space science information commons - data availability and access worldwide using modern ICT capabilities

4. The Electronic Geophysical Year, 2007-2008
Data access
Data discovery
Data release
Data preservation
Data rescue
Outreach & Education
Capacity building
The fundamental themes of eGY are listed in black, and have been invoked by many bodies (nothing original in them, but all important)
eGY builds on the legacy of IGY 50 years ago - data sharing
The underlying principles on which these themes are based are embodied in the eGY “Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons” - a statement of aspirations and principles of data stewardship that participants can sign
eGY can be used to develop codes of best practice; certification of compliance
Encouraging and facilitating the development of VIRTUAL OBSERVATORIES is a central function of eGY. The architecture of the Virtual Solar Observatory is shown. VOs (or VxOs) provide open access to distributed data, information, and services (computational, analytical, modelling, and visualisation). The names VO came from the space community; otyher communities use othyer names for systems with such characteristics.
A VO incorporates
- User interface
- Data access system
- Data management
- Assimilation into models (simulations)
- Visualisation
Virtual Observatories

5. Knowledge is the common wealth of humanity*
In the Earth and space sciences and elsewhere, 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.
Explain information commons
Agricultural commons
Demise of the agricultural commons
Information commons
We are entering the information era - driven by our remarkable ability to share information
Slide shows the global telecommunications networks, colour coded according to bandwidth
*Adama Samassekou, Convener, UN World Summit on the Information Society

6. Geoinformatics responses proliferate GEOSS Data and Architecture
US National Geoinformatics System
CEOS-WGISS
ESSI
One Geology
CGI
Informatics
Division
Bodies, agencies, and professional societies around the world are responding rapidly to the opportunities of the information revolution, and expanding their commitment to informatics - the science and applications that fill the gap between end users and modern ICT & computing capabilities.
ICSU’s Strategic Coordinating Committee for Information & Data
CODATA’s Global Information Commons for Science Initiative
CODATA Task Group: eGY Earth & Space Science Data Interoperability.
CODATA Task Group: Preservation of and Access to Scientific and Technical Data in Developing Countries.
CODATA Task Group: Data Sources for Sustainable Development in SADC Countries
GEOSS - the Global Earth Observing System of Systems, and the GEOSS Data & Architecture Committee
eSDDC – UN-GAID Global Alliance for Enhancing Access to and Application of Scientific Data in Developing Countries
IUGG’s Union Commission for Information and Data
IUGS CGI – Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information
AGU’s Earth & Space Science Informatics Special Focus Group (ESSI)
EGU’s Earth & Space Science Informatics group
Geological Soc. America’s Division of Informatics US National Geoinformatics System
CEOS’s (Commitee on Earth Observation Satellites) Working Group for Information Systems and Services

7. is an opportunity to
Develop better data & information systems
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.
The tasks (opportunities) listed in the slide can be accomplished more effectively through eGY and the framework of international collaboration that such an initiative provides.

8. provides Networks of people Newsletter Website Conference events
Meetings
Showcase demonstrations
eGY Declaration
Services

9. eGY-Africa - reducing the Digital Divide
Help improve internet access for scientists in Africa Use the voice of the international scientific community - map present status and problem - map present efforts and policy - influence decision making - hold workshop in 2009, W. Africa - cooperate with others
The aim of eGY-Africa is to reduce the Digital Divide by getting better internet access for scientists and educators in Africa. Emphasis is on Universities and similar institutions
Our “weapons” are the voice of the international scientific community and the support & policy statements of various top bodies (e.g., UN ECA) about the need and benefits of effective internet access.
The next steps for eGY-Africa are
1. Expand participation and patronage
2. Develop national groups (use existing networks as much as possible)
3. Survey internet status, performance, problems, and benefits
4. Assemble reference/policyinformation. Find out who is doing what?
5. Engage with service providers, decision-makers, aid bodies, and governments at all levels to raise the profile of the problem and the benefits of investing in internet access.
6. Hold a workshop in W.Africa in 2009 (with IAP and UN-GAID?)
6. COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS WITH SIMILAR OBJECTIVES (IST, UN GAID, ICTP, IAP, INASP, ….)
Management team: Alem Mebrahru (Ethiopia), Victor Chukwume (Nigeria), Monique Petitdidier (France), Abebe Kibede (USA), Larry Amaeshi (Nigeria), Mohamed Gaye (Senegal), Colin Reeves (The Netherlands), Jean-Pierre Tchouanchoue (Cameroun), Victor Rochon (Purdue U.), Les Cottrell (Stanford U.), Charles Barton (Australia)

10. www.egy.org eGY News Email lists Bill.Peterson@lasp.colorado.edu
Interested in getting involved?
eGY News lists
Welcome to eGY
Take advantage of eGY and the 50-year anniversary of IGY
Visit the eGY website
Subscribe to eGY News and use it to inform and be informed
Subscribe to the three-tiered list server (choose the level of detail of communications that suits you)
Become a signatory to the eGY Declaration
Contact Bill to discuss your interests
We provide a list of suggested actions for eGY participants.
THANK YOU
Sign the ‘Declaration for an Earth and Space Science Information Commons’