1. CEOS Strategy for Space-Based Climate Observations Seminar on the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and Global Change Barbara J. Ryan Chair, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) 2007 International Astronautical Federation Paris, France 17 June 2007

2. CEOS Background Established in 1984 from the Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations –Recognized value of cross-disciplinary efforts –Need to coordinate satellite missions Outgrowth of two satellite coordinating groups: –Coordination on Land Observation Satellites –Coordination on Ocean Remote Sensing Satellites Operates through best efforts of Members and Associates via voluntary contributions Space segment provider to GEO

3. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Actions from COP - 10, 11, and 12 “Satellite Observation of the Climate System: The CEOS Response to the GCOS Implementation Plan” Response covers atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial domains, as well as cross-cutting issues 59 actions identify where additional resources are needed to fill gaps Calls for a major, sustained satellite component

4. GCOS 26 Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) A.Atmosphere A.1Surface Wind Speed and Direction A.2Upper-air Temperature A.3Water A Vapour A.4Cloud properties A.5Precipitation A.6Earth Radiation Budget A.7Ozone A.8Atmospheric reanalysis (multiple ECVs) A.9Aerosols A.10Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other Greenhouse Gases A.11Upper-air Wind O.Oceans O.1Sea Ice O.2Sea Level O.3Sea Surface Temperature O.4Ocean Colour O.5Sea State O.6Ocean Reanalysis O.7Ocean Salinity T.Terrestrial T.1Lakes T.2Glaciers and Ice Caps, and Ice Sheets T.3Snow Cover T.4Albedo T.5Land Cover T.6fAPAR T.7LAI T.8Biomass T.9Fire Disturbance T.10Soil moisture

5. CEOS Constellations Concept Contribution to GEO observational requirements Synergies among national and regional satellite programs –Land surface imaging –Ocean surface topography –Atmospheric composition –Global precipitation Common guidelines Optimal end-to-end capabilities Coordinated user requirements for future systems

6. Landsat 7 Archive

7. A Changing World is Revealed by Land Change Urban Growth

8. 90 mm of subsidence in Tucson, Arizona November 1992 to January 1997 InSAR data from Envisat Ground-Water Withdrawals

9. The Way Forward “CEOS recognizes that both satellite and in situ data are required to better monitor, characterize, and predict changes in the Earth system. While in situ measurements will remain essential and largely measure what cannot be measured from satellites, Earth-observation satellites are the only realistic means to obtain the necessary global coverage, and with well-calibrated measurements will become the single most important contribution to global observations for climate.” “CEOS recognizes that both satellite and in situ data are required to better monitor, characterize, and predict changes in the Earth system. While in situ measurements will remain essential and largely measure what cannot be measured from satellites, Earth-observation satellites are the only realistic means to obtain the necessary global coverage, and with well-calibrated measurements will become the single most important contribution to global observations for climate.” www.ceos.org