EPA’s Role in the Global Earth Observation System of Systems

(GEOSS)

Jacques Kapuscinski

Office of Research and Development

U.S. EPA

GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems

GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems

Image: http://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/

Taking the pulse of the planet by linking observations, models, and analysis to information for decisions and living.

Taking the pulse of the planet by linking observations, models, and analysis to information for decisions and living.

GEOSS -Linking data from satellite sensors, aerial sources and ground-based monitors on land, ocean and air to help us think globally and act locally to protect human health and the environment.

GEOSS -Linking data from satellite sensors, aerial sources and ground-based monitors on land, ocean and air to help us think globally and act locally to protect human health and the environment.

Ocean ResourcesOcean Resources Sustainable AgricultureSustainable AgricultureWeatherWeather

Energy ResourcesEnergy Resources

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Water Resources

Water Resources

Ecological ForecastsEcological Forecasts

HealthHealth

Why GEOSS?The more we understand the Earth, the

Why GEOSS?The more we understand the Earth, the

better stewards we become.better stewards we become.

DisastersDisasters

Contributing Factors to First Earth Observation Summitin Washington, DC, July, 2003

• Increasing “Global Awareness,” Premature Forerunners of the GEOSS Concept, and Major Advances in Computing and Information (Enabling) Technologies

• United Nations Millennium Declaration Challenges and the Millennium Development Goals, September 2000

• World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 2002

• Group of 8 Countries (G8) Heads of State Meeting in Evian, France; Science and Technology for Sustainable Development – a G8 Action Plan, June 3, 2003

GEO(10-Year

Implementation Plan)

USGEO(Strategic Plan

for the USIntegrated EOS)

~ 65 Other Countries

EPA GEO (EPA GEOSS

Coordinating Committee Charter )

~ 15 Other US Agencies/Offices

http://earthobservations.org/

http://usgeo.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/geoss/

EPA’s Theoretical “Niche”• Both User and Provider of data/models• Information Linkages from Observations to all

Nine Societal Benefit Areas• EPA’s Connections with State/Local/Tribal

Environmental Agencies• Environmental Health Decision-Making

Assessment, Regulatory Action, Guidance, Uncertainty, Accountability, etc.

• Report on the Environment and Indicators• Sustainable Development

The GEOSS ArchitectureUsers and Scientific Communities Served By:

GEOSS Common Approaches Systems within their Mandates

PersonalDecisions

GEOSS and Environmental Health

Decision-Making

• This new “system of systems” will improve the current framework for environmental monitoring and accountability, which exists largely in support of regulatory imperatives, but does not yet comprehensively communicate the information and models needed for decision-makers and the public to understand today's complex environmental questions and track the observable progress being made by EPA.

Partnerships and Collaboration;An Example Characterizing Air Quality

Monitoring SatelliteModeling

A 2004 Alaskan Fire Event Demonstrates the Power of Integrating Many Types and Sources of Air Quality Data

A series of fires break out in Alaska June 30, 2004. This regional event impacted air quality as far away as England.

NOAA/EPA Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) Model Estimates Fine Particle Values for the Eastern U.S.

Computer models are used to fill in the gaps where EPA does not monitor and helps us understand why measurements

might be as they are.

Adding NOAA’s Meteorological Data Helps us Understand the Plume Movement

Satellite and meteorological data combined helps us understand where and if the particles will impact air quality at

the ground.

All of the data combined indicate that the increased levels of fine particles measured on July 21, 2004 in North Carolina

were due to the Alaskan fire event.

We Take Advantage of the Strengths of Each Data Type by Analyzing the Data Together.

TAKING THE PULSE OF THE PLANET: Developing Data into Knowledge

The challenge: To combine existing and future data at various temporal and spatial scales in a meaningful way, transform the data into new knowledge, and connect the knowledge with agency decision support systems thereby improving the science foundation of environmental decisions.

This is the true value of GEOSS.

For EPA, it means being better able to: Survey and assess the health of humans

and the environment Identify and mitigate stresses threatening that health, and Evaluate our effectiveness at regulating pollution by creating

new accountability metrics.

** Everyday is Earth Day **** Everyday is Earth Day **

We’re always thinking globally and acting locally.

We’re always thinking globally and acting locally.