1. The Importance of GMES & GEOSS: Integrating Our Earth Observation Systems VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA Administrator Marine Environment and Security for the European Area (MERSEA) Annual Meeting March 6, 2006

2. Integrating Our Earth Observation System2 Menu Items Who cares about Earth Observation Data? Integrating GMES and Other Observation Systems Status Execution Tsunami Travel Times, December 26, 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia

3. Integrating Our Earth Observation System3 Who cares about Earth Observation Data? We Must Promote Societal Benefits of Integrated Observations UK Flooding courtesy Environmental Agency WaterLand Neeltje Jans Museum North Sea Barriers Forest Fire Central Portugal courtesy Reuters

4. Integrating Our Earth Observation System4 GMES Potential for Earth Observations Importance of GMES—provides European expertise Advancing GEO goals Improved coordination of strategies & systems for observations Effective utilization of observations, data & products Full & open data exchange & access GMES can be important contribution Priorities Management & organizational principles User connection Research to operations Data management & access Envisat image of a phytoplankton bloom in the Baltic Sea courtesy ESA

5. Integrating Our Earth Observation System5 U.S. IEOS GMES GEOSS Many Systems Contributing to GEOSS Monitoring for scientific, economic, & societal benefits Focus on policy needs Society needs information & services—beyond data GEO is logical outlet Countries Institutions Draw from previous work IGOS, CEOS, WMO, G3OS

6. Integrating Our Earth Observation System6 The Global Earth Observation System of Systems Status Update Adopted formal GEO organization and 10-year implementation plan Held GEO I in May 2005, and GEO II in December 2005 G-8 Affirmation of Commitment Selected new GEO Secretariat Director, Jose Achache Accepted 2006 Work Plan, adopted a budget and formally created GEO Committees Architecture and Data; Capacity Building; Science and Technology; User Interface; and Working Group on Tsunami Activities

7. Integrating Our Earth Observation System7 Top Ten Challenges 10) Alphabet Soup 9) Stove Pipes 8) Integration 7) Architecture 6) Data Management 5) Data Sharing 4) User Needs 3) Maximizing Benefits 2) Communication 1) Execution

8. Integrating Our Earth Observation System8 Ocean Observations LiDAR Image of Moss Landing Harbor Channel Physical Oceanographic Real Time System Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Electronic Navigation Charts ARGO Float

9. Integrating Our Earth Observation System9 The Vision Must Be Followed By The Venture. GEOSS will provide scientific basis for sound policy decisions in every sector of our society Increase our capability to address natural disasters Coordination presents challenges but is necessary for our efforts to be effective We are moving forward Moving GOES Satellite GEO NetCast