GEO / GEOSS

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GEO / GEOSS
GEOSS Support for Decision-Making in the Coastal
Zone Managing and Mitigating the Impacts of
Human Activities and Natural Hazards in the
Coastal Zone Earth Observation Support for
Sustainable Tourism in Small Island StatesMarch
9-11, 2011, Puerto Rico Douglas Cripe GEO
Secretariat
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The Earth is a complex system of systems
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IKONOS
CBERS
SPOT 4, 5
SPIN-2
Orbview 2, 3
DMC
ACRIMSAT
EROS A1
Radarsat
ALOS
Toms-EP
QuickBird
Space Observation Systems
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In-situ systems
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The Tower of Babel problem

• Need for
• Earth observation Coordination
• Interoperable Architecture and Formats
• Data Sharing
• to benefit fully from Earth Observation Systems

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GEO, the Group on Earth Observations An
Intergovernmental group with 86 Members and 61
Participating Organizations
U.S. Department of State, Washington DC July 31,
2003
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What is GEO?

• launched in response to calls for action by the
  2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development,
  Earth Observation Summits, and by the G8 (Group
  of Eight) leading industrialized countries
• voluntary partnership of governments and
  international organizations
• 85 Member governments EC
• 61 Participating Organizations (PO)
• provides a framework within which these partners
  can develop new projects and coordinate their
  strategies and investments
• charged with developing GEOSS

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What is GEOSS?

• the Global Earth Observation System of Systems
• an integrating public infrastructure,
  interconnecting a diverse, growing array of Earth
  observing instruments and information systems for
  monitoring and forecasting changes in the global
  environment
• supports policymakers, resource managers, science
  researchers and other experts to support informed
  decision making for society
• 10-year implementation plan
• 2015 Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and
  Sustained System of Observing Systems

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Governance

• GEO comprised of Members governments and
  Participating Organizations.
• Membership in GEO is contingent upon formal
  endorsement of the GEOSS 10-Year Implementation
  Plan.
• The GEO Plenary is the main body of designated
  representatives of the Members and Participating
  Organizations, and is GEOs primary
  decision-making body.
• All members belong to a regional caucus (5),
  which nominates members of the Executive
  Committee.
• The Executive Committee oversees GEOs activities
  when the Plenary is not in session.
• consists of 13 representatives elected from the 5
  GEO caucuses, including three each from the
  Americas, Asia and Europe, two from Africa, and
  one from the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• guides Secretariat

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GEOSS Implementation requiresData Sharing
Principles

• Full and Open Exchange of Data
• Recognizing Relevant International Instruments
  and National Policies and Legislation
• Data and Products at Minimum Time delay and
  Minimum Cost
• Free of Charge or Cost of Reproduction for
  Research and Education

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GEOSS Implementation RequiresInteroperability
of Systems
Need for an Interoperable Architecture and
Standard Formats to benefit fully from Earth
Observation Systems

• Technical Specifications for Collecting,
  Processing, Storing, and Disseminating Data and
  Products
• Based on Non-proprietary Standards
• Defining System Compliance for Contribution to
  GEOSS

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G8-2008
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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G8-2009
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
supporting the ongoing work on the development
of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems
(GEOSS).
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GEOSS A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive and
Sustained System of Observing Systems
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GEOSS main objectives

• Improve and Coordinate Observation Systems (avoid
  duplications)
• Provide Easier More Open Data Access
• Foster Use (Science, Applications)
• Building Capacity
• Identify gaps in observations (based on user
  requirements)

Earth Observation Systems should
becoordinated and shared internationally to
answer Societys need for informed decision
making
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Thank you!dcripe_at_geosec.orgearthobservations.o
rg