1. Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Michael Tanner GEO Secretariat Geneva, Switzerland

2. Group on Earth Observations
Intergovernmental Organization with 81 Members and 56 Participating Organizations
U.S. Department of State, Washington DC
July 31, 2003
© GEO Secretariat

3. Environment and Climate Change To respond to the growing demand for Earth observation data, we will accelerate efforts within the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which builds on the work of UN specialized agencies and programs, in priority areas, inter alia, climate change and water resources management, by strengthening observation, prediction and data sharing. We also support capacity building for developing countries in earth observations and promote interoperability and linkage with other partners.

4. RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Natural disasters
To address the increased threats of natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena caused by climate change, such as increased flooding, storm surges, droughts and forest fires, we will act to improve risk preparedness, prevention, monitoring and response times, particularly in developing countries, by:
a) defining common guidelines for disaster prevention and management to be used in developing national plans, in collaboration with the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), building on the Hyogo Framework for Action and on national experiences, as well as improving management of risks, awareness raising and training of the population and civil protection real-time response, such as logistical support for emergency situations;
b) supporting the ongoing work on the development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

5. Represents the consolidation of a global scientific and political consensus at the Ministerial level
The prediction and assessment of the state of the Earth requires continuous and coordinated collection, processing, modeling, and dissemination of data about the Earth system at all scales.
Develop the use of Earth observations by a broad range of users
From both developed and developing countries and
Ranging from decision- and policy-makers to scientists, industry, international governmental, and non-governmental organizations.
GEOSS Imperative
© GEO Secretariat

6. Global Earth Observation System of Systems…
GEOSS
Global Earth Observation System of Systems…
Coordinate and Sustain Observation Systems
Provide Easier & More Open Data Access
Foster Use through Science, Applications and Capacity Building
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
… to answer Society’s need for informed decision making

7. GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems
Distributed system of systems
Improve coordination of strategies and observation systems
Link all platforms: in-situ, aircraft, satellite, and buoy networks, etc.
Facilitate exchange of data and information
Identify gaps in our global capacity
Improve decision-makers’ abilities to address pressing policy issues
Enable solutions for Societal Benefit

8. A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and Sustained System of Observing Systems
GEOSS
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.

9. GEO-VI Plenary Washington, DC
Climate recognized as cross-cutting across all SBA
Framework basis for GEO Climate SBA
Climate Services / WCRP / GCOS / GFCS / IFSOO / SCOPE-CM
Research and Services essential role in GEOSS
National Projects and Activities key contributions to GEOSS
GEWEX, CLIVAR, CLiC, SPARC and the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP)

10. Climate SBA
Enhance collaboration between observation, research and user communities
Support the development of observational capabilities for Essential Climate Variables
Identify climate products and information required for societal applications
Develop and implement approaches responding to these requirements
Facilitate access to climate data and models
Particularly for developing countries
Facilitate exchange of data and information across Societal Benefit Areas
Combine climate data with socio-economic information to better anticipate manifestations of climate change in areas such as Disasters, Health, Water, Ecosystems and Agriculture
Develop a long-term strategy to improve observation capability, data assimilation and modelling
Advance the monitoring and predictability of climate on seasonal, interannual and decadal time scales

11. Climate Community Contributions
Understanding Earth System phenomena
e.g. Organized tropical convection, Sea-level rise
Connecting disciplines and addressing crosscutting issues
e.g. WCRP "Global Environmental Change and Human Health initiative"
Developing Earth System modeling
From a seamless approach and data assimilation schemes
Integrating both space and in-situ data
Fostering the development of user-driven socio-economic applications and related forecasting systems
Enhancing capacity for using data & products
Producing and disseminating information relevant to decision makers

12. GEOSS Data Sharing Principles
Full and open exchange of data, metadata,
and products shared within GEOSS
Recognizing Relevant International
Instruments and National Policies
Shared data, metadata & products at Minimum Time Delay and Minimum Cost
Free of Charge, or cost of reproduction, encouraged for Research & Education
See slide text
© GEO Secretariat

13. Data Sharing Implementation Guidelines
Promote implementation of GEOSS Data Sharing Principles through the
full and open exchange of data.
Encourage GEOSS users to reuse and re-disseminate shared data.
Ensure consistency with other national laws and policies and international agreements.
Implement pricing policies consistent with GEOSS Data Sharing Principles.
Reduce time delays for making data available through GEOSS.
Promote research and education uses of GEOSS data.
Develop metrics and indicators for GEOSS data sharing
activities.
Develop effective coordination and outreach
mechanisms for implementing the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles.

14. GEO – IPCC Workshop
Explore how the GEOSS can improve the delivery of multi-disciplinary data and data products to the climate impacts, adaptation and vulnerability research community
How GEOSS can support the IPCC assessments
Organized by GEO, IPCC, GCOS and WCRP
Advisory group
Vicente Barros, IPCC WG II Co-Chair
Chris Field, IPCC WG II Co-Chair
Gino Casassa, Centro de Estudios Cientificos, Chile
Howard Diamond, US National Climatic Data Center and US GCOS program manager
Kathy Hibbard UCAR, USA
José A. Marengo, Centro de Previsao de Tempo e Estudios Climàticos, Brazil
Joy Pereira, Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Malaysia
Steven W. Running, University of Montana, USA
Mark Stafford Smith, CSIRO, Australia
Kevin Trenberth, UCAR, USA
Scarla Weeks, Global Change Institute, Australia

15. Next Steps
- Ensure Access for All - Make Basic Data Sets Available - Develop End-to-End Services - Coordinate Observing Systems
© GEO Secretariat

16. Summary
GEO Ministerial in Beijing, China will showcase Climate community
Engagement and Cooperation with the Global Climate Community is FUNDAMENTAL to the success of GEOSS
As a global environmental information system for society
Goal of GEOSS is to provide better information for decision making
Achieve Societal and Economic Benefits
Global coordinated network
Sustained and Comprehensive
Earth Observation System of Systems
Scientific Engagement is CRITICAL to the success of GEOSS
Cross-cutting Approach
Involving many Communities with International Dimension
Maintain Global Mobilization and Interest

17. Thank you!

18. Senior Program Officer e-mail: mtanner@geosec.org
Thank you!
Michael D. Tanner
Senior Program Officer
GEO Secretariat
7bis, avenue de la Paix
Casale postale 2300
Ch-1211 Geneva 2, Suisse
phone:

19. GEOSS Climate SBA

20. A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and
Sustained System of Observing Systems

21. Societal Benefit Areas
Disasters: Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human-induced disasters
Health: Understanding environmental factors affecting human health and well-being
Energy: Improving management of energy resources
Climate: Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to climate variability and change
Water: Improving water resource management through better understanding of the water cycle
Weather: Improving weather information, forecasting and warning
Ecosystems: Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal and marine resources
Agriculture: Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification
Biodiversity: Understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity

22. GEOSS Climate SBA
Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to climate variability and change
The climate has impacts in each of the other eight societal benefit areas.
Coping with climate change and variability demands good scientific understanding based on sufficient and reliable observations.
GEOSS outcomes will enhance the capacity to model, mitigate, and adapt to climate change and variability.
Better understanding of the climate and its impacts on the Earth system, including its human and economic aspects, will contribute to improved climate prediction and facilitate sustainable development while avoiding dangerous perturbations to the climate system. (GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan)

23. Vision Link together the world’s diverse Climate information
Observing systems
Data processing centres
Models
Dissemination systems
Decision support capabilities
Support integrated data sets and
user information services

24. 2010-2011 Work Plan Work Plan approved at GEO-VI
Build the Climate arm of GEOSS
Through Climate Tasks
Each with leads and contributors
GEOSS Climate tasks:
Sustained Reprocessing and Reanalysis Efforts
Key Climate Data from Satellite Systems
Key Terrestrial Observations for Climate
GEOSS IPY Contribution
Global Ocean Observation System
Seamless Weather and Climate Prediction System

25. GEOSS Climate Tasks
A Climate Record for Assessing Variability and Change
Sustained Reprocessing and Reanalysis of Climate Data
Extending the Record of Climate Variability at Global Scale
Key Climate Data from Satellite Systems
Environmental Information for Decision-making, Risk Management and Adaptation
Towards Enhanced Climate, Weather, Water and Environmental Prediction
Climate Information for Decision-making, Risk Management and Adaptation
Global Carbon Observation and Analysis System
Integrated Global Carbon Observation
Forest Carbon Tracking
Global Monitoring of Greenhouse Gases from Space
Sustained Observing Systems
Global Terrestrial Observations for Climate
Legacy of the International Polar Year
Global Ocean Observation System
Global Observing System (GOS)

26. GEO Climate Tasks Sustained Reprocessing and Reanalysis Efforts
Ensure the development of international mechanisms to coordinate and maintain sustained climate data reprocessing and reanalysis efforts.
Lead: GCOS, WCRP, CEOS
Contributor: Argentina, Australia, China, ECMWF, EEA, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA
Key Climate Data from Satellite Systems
Establish actions securing the provision of key data for climate studies and forecasting from satellite systems.
Lead: CEOS, GCOS, USA, WMO
Contributor: Cyprus, France, Germany, GSDI, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Tunisia
Key Terrestrial Observations for Climate
Develop intergovernmental mechanisms for coordinating terrestrial observations needed for climate studies and forecasting. Develop a framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards, and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate and associated data, metadata, and products to expand the comprehensiveness of current networks and facilitate exchange of data.
Lead: GTOS
Contributor: Australia, CEOS, Cyprus, ECMWF, EUMETNET, FAO, GCOS, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Spain, Thailand, USA

27. GEO Climate Tasks GEOSS IPY Contribution
Coordinate with the International Polar Year (IPY) to enhance the utilization of Earth observations in all appropriate realms
Lead: WCRP, Portugal
Contributor: Argentina, Australia, Canada, CEOS, France, GCOS, Germany, GTOS, IAG, IGOS-P, IOC, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, USA, WCRP, WMO
Global Ocean Observation System
Enhance and improve coordination of coastal and marine climate observations in support of a global ocean observation system.
Lead: GOOS, POGO
Contributor: Argentina, CEOS, France, GCOS, Germany, GOOS, Greece, GTOS, IAG, IGOS-P, IOC, Italy, Japan, Norway, POGO, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA, WMO
Seamless Weather and Climate Prediction System
Support the development of a THORPEX/WCRP initiative on "International Weather, Climate and Earth-system Science", to better address uncertainties associated with climate variability and change, and related societal impacts.
Lead: WMO, WCRP
Contributor: China, Thailand

28. Benefits Strong Climate arm is fundamental to a successful GEOSS
Essential to and supports all SBAs
Vast range of user communities
Support adaptation and mitigation under UNFCCC
Support to IPCC assessments
Climate information as a global public good
Data Sharing Principles with open access
Support science and research
community
Including modellers