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Global Earth Observation System of

Systems

Climate Societal Benefit Area

GCOS Steering Committee

Geneva, Switzerland

October 16, 2008

Michael Tanner

Senior Program Officer

GEO Secretariat

Geneva

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GEO Secretariat slide 2

Some 30% of our economy is tied to the environment

Scientific understanding and ongoing knowledge of the Earth system is

fundamental for well informed economic decision making

Sustained Earth observations are critical in understanding the Earth

Systems interoperability and open data access is fundamental

A global approach to Earth observation is required

GEOSS Imperative

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GEOSSGlobal 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

Areas (SBA)

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75 Members

51 Participation Organizations

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Societal Benefit Areas Disasters: Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human-induceddisasters

Health: Understanding environmental factors affecting human health and well-being

Energy: Improving management of energy resources

Climate: Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to climatevariability and change

Water: Improving water resource management through better understanding of thewater cycle

Weather: Improving weather information, forecasting and warning

Ecosystems: Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal andmarine resources

Agriculture: Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification

Biodiversity: Understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity

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6GEOSS: A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive andSustained System of Systems

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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 onthe work of UN specialized agencies and programs, in priorityareas, inter alia, climate change and water resourcesmanagement, by strengthening observation, prediction and datasharing. We also support capacity building for developingcountries in earth observations and promote interoperability andlinkage with other partners.

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Vision

Link together the worlds diverse Climate information Observing systems Data processing centres

Models

Dissemination systems

Decision support capabilities

Support integrated data sets and

user information services

Similar to integrating GEOSS Architecture, DataManagement, CEOS, Communities of Practice activities

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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

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2009-2011 Work Plan

To be Finalized and Approved at GEO-V

Build the Climate Component of GEOSS Specific 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

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GEOSS Climate Tasks

Sustained Reprocessing and Reanalysis Efforts Ensure the development of international mechanisms to coordinate and maintainsustained 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 preparationof guidance materials, standards, and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observingsystems for climate and associated data, metadata, and products to expand thecomprehensiveness 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

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GEOSS Climate Tasks (cont) GEOSS IPY Contribution

Coordinate with the International Polar Year (IPY) to enhance the utilization of Earthobservations 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 withclimate variability and change, and related societal impacts.

Lead: WMO, WCRP Contributor: China, Thailand

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Sustained Reprocessing and Reanalysis Efforts

Ensure the development of international mechanisms to coordinate and maintain sustained climate datareprocessing and reanalysis efforts.

Lead: GCOS, WCRP, CEOS Contributor: Argentina, Australia, China, ECMWF, EEA, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan,

Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA

The Third WCRP International Conference on Reanalyses (Tokyo Japan, 28 Jan-1 Feb 2008)

highlighted key outstanding issues in reanalysis:

frequent changes in underlying data base (continuity issue);

lack of global data (need for enhanced data access and digitization);

need for improved modeling and data-assimilation systems (truly coupled high-resolution models,

assimilation of aerosols, trace gases);

need for enhanced international coordination/cooperation through WCRP Observation and

Assimilation Panel (WOAP).

Recommendations for the GEO Community include:

improve and develop input data for reanalysis (facilitate access and digitization of historical data set,

support activities of the WCRP Observation and Assimilation Panel (WOAP) and the working group

on Improved Observational Data Sets For Reanalysis);

sustain reanalysis efforts for all climate system components (atmosphere, ocean, land) and raise the

profile of reanalysis worldwide the European capability in particular is in urgent need of financial

support.

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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

Aerosols and Clouds A-Train data for aerosol and cloud measurements Global Precipitation Constellation

Ensure continued improvements to precipitation determinations demonstrated by TRMM andplanned by GPM in 2010

Sea Ice A system for re-analysis of Ocean Sea Ice (OSI) Satellite Application Facility (SAF) Sea Ice

Reanalysed global sea ice data, 1987/1995 2005

Ocean Surface Topography Constellation Develop a strategy for implementation over the next 15 years

NPOESS Climate Sensors Land Remote Sensing

LSI Constellation Study Team Work to secure signature of agreements Develop and implement acquisition plans that address data gap issues, by as many of the applicable

space agencies as possible

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Key Terrestrial Observations for Climate

Develop intergovernmental mechanisms for coordinating terrestrialobservations needed for climate studies and forecasting. Develop aframework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards, andreporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate andassociated data, metadata, and products to expand thecomprehensiveness 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

Technical groups have formed to review and finalize each ECV standardassessment report. Negotiations are underway with FAO, WMO and ISO to develop a final mechanism to

submit to the UNFCCC.

Progress reports submitted to SBSTA 27, Bali, Indonesia. Terrestrial ECV report produced and on line: www.fao.org/gtos/doc/pub52.pdf

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GEOSS International Polar Year (IPY) Contribution

Coordinate with the International Polar Year (IPY) to enhance theutilization of Earth observations in all appropriate realms, including, butnot limited to, sea and land ice, permafrost, coastal erosion, physicaland chemical polar ocean changes, marine and terrestrial ecosystemchange, biodiversity monitoring and impacts of increased resourceexploitation and marine transport

Lead: WCRP, Portugal Contributor: Argentina, Australia, Canada, CEOS, France, GCOS,

Germany, GTOS, IAG, IGOS-P, IOC, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal,Spain, USA, WCRP, WMO

WMO/GEO/WCRP IPY Legacy Workshop on Sustaining ProjectsContributions to WMO Global Cryosphere Watch and GEOSS WMO Headquarters, Geneva, 3-5 December 2008

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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

Improve the global coverage and data accuracy of the climate monitoring system

and coastal observing systems, Management and archival of the resulting data

Contribute to the implementation of a global coastal network using the

mechanism of GOOS Regional Alliances Establish an ARGO Program Office

Ensure the ongoing implementation of this global array of profiling floats in the ocean.

Establish a global observation program support center servicing in situ ocean observing systems in

order to ensure their sustainability.

Coastal climate observations activities should build on the existing joint work of

GOOS and GTOS Setting up of a joint Panel of Integrated Coastal Observations.

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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

Publication in BAMS of the GEO Plenary IV paper The Socio-economic Benefits of a

Revolution in Weather, Climate and Earth System Prediction. Review of companionpaperTowards a seamless process for the prediction of Weather and Climateto be

finalised and reviewed.

The Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC) : Implementation of the YOTC project has

commenced.

Relevant NWP fields are being archived

Support is being sought a comprehensive satellite data base for the project. A World Modelling Summit for Climate Prediction : This was held as planned at the

ECMWF from the 6-9th May.

Declaration notes the need for improved prediction of regional climate especially of extreme events/

high impact weather in order to develop adaptation strategies to ameliorate effects on food security,

water resources, the environment etc.,

Summit proposes a major new Climate Prediction Project implemented by collaboration between

WCRP, WWRP and IGBP and involving the national weather and climate prediction communities.

To enhance overall capability it also suggests the formation of a World Climate Research Facility.

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Next Steps

Efficiently and Effectively integrate the GEOSS

Climate Component

Requires that tasks be well coordinated

Organize a GEOSS workshop in first quarter 2009 In coordination with WMO / GCOS / WCRP

For all GEO climate task teams

Workshop will discuss and coordinate the efforts of

the task teams

Discuss gaps, synergies and linkages

Agree to a coordination and information-sharing process

through 2011

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GEOSS Future Directions Develop GEO Data Policy Principles

Begin Global Earth Observing Systems Inventory

Assess global observation gaps

Implement operational tools, e.g., GEOPORTAL, GEONETCAST

Demonstrate national, regional, global Earth observation programs in

support of health, agriculture, water, capacity building

Promote use of Earth observations in modeling & data assimilation efforts

Explore ways to sustain successful R & D observations

Engage academic and industrial partners

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GEOSS is a global coordinated network of sustained, comprehensive,earth observation system of systems

Goal of GEOSS to provide better information for decision making toachieve societal and economic benefits

Strong Climate component is fundamental to a successful GEOSS

Scientific engagement is critical to the success of GEOSS

Cross-cutting approach, involving many communities, with InternationalDimension

Tremendous Global mobilization and Interest in GEO from all Disciplinesand Communities

Process is always open to New Participants

Develop new mechanisms for funding and implementation

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Summary

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Thank you!

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Thank you!

Michael D. Tanner

Senior Program Officer

GEO Secretariat

7bis, avenue de la PaixCasale postale 2300

Ch-1211 Geneva 2, Suisse

phone: +41 22 730 8324

e-mail: mtanner@geosec.org

www.earthobservations.org

http://www.earthobservations.org/http://www.earthobservations.org/