U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere/NOAA

Forum on Earth ObservationsSeptember 20, 2004

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Presentation Outline

Global FrameworkU.S. Contribution to Global Earth Observation System of SystemsSocietal BenefitsImplementation and IntegrationNext Steps

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The Global Framework

A distributed system of systems Improves coordination of

strategies and observation systems

Links all platforms: in situ, aircraft, and satellite networks

Identifies gaps in our global capacity

Facilitates exchange of data and information

Improves decision-makers’ abilities to address pressing policy issues

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U.S. Contribution to GEOSS

VISIONEnable a healthy public, economy, and planet through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation system.

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Benefits Focus

Natural & Human Induced

Disasters

Human Health & Well-Being

Energy Resources

Climate Variability &

Change

Water Resources

Weather Information,

Forecasting & Warning

Ecosystems

Sustainable Agriculture &

Desertification

Oceans

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Implementation Approach

Interface With User CommunityCollect Earth ObservationsManage DataSustain CapacityDeliver Information

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Implementation Aspects

Policy and Planning Data Sharing Critical Observations

Technical Interoperability Data Management

Fiscal

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U.S. Governance Structure

OSTP/OMB guidance memo June 6, 2003Earth Observation SubcommitteeCoordinated Interagency Approach Imperative

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Integration

Policy and Planning Integration Focus on specific societal benefits

Issue and Problem Focused Integration

Address a particular issueScientific Integration

Modeling of Earth processes

Technical Systems Integration Coordination of observing system

technology and data management systems Account for observing system evolution

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Architecture

Supports a range of implementation optionsAddresses planned, research and operational systemsCapabilities interfaced through interoperability specificationsInclusion of metadata and quality indicatorsContinuity of observations, and instigation of new observationsBuilds on existing systems and historical dataFederal Enterprise Architecture Framework

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Next Steps:Near Term Opportunities

Data Management System for Earth ObservationsImproved Observations for Disaster WarningsGlobal Land Observing SystemSea Level Observing SystemNational Integrated Drought Information SystemAir Quality Assessment and Forecast System

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Data Management System for Earth Observations

Data Management Needs

New Systems mean 100-fold increase in data

Current systems already challenged

Development of browser and visualization systems

Interoperability through protocols and standards

Example: Integrated Ocean Observing System

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Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings

Improved Monitoring = Improved ForecastingNeed for systematic, widespread coverage

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Global Land Observing System

Support Land Management Decisions

Extent of Urban Sprawl Land Cover Impact on Water

Quality Characterization of Biodiversity,

Agricultural Production, Forest, and Vegetation Health

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Sea Level Observing System

Key Climate Variable 100 million people live

within 1 meter of sea level Global sea rise statistics

range from 9-88 centimeters

Discussion point of G8Socio-Economic Implications for the Arctic

Alaskan villages susceptible to erosion and flooding

Estimated cost of relocation ~$1billion

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National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

Key Components Integrated National Drought

Monitoring & Forecasting System

Multi-agency collaboration; NOAA lead

Facilitates information exchange between local, state and federal agencies

Proactive, Not Passive, Drought Response

Improve Drought Indicator Data/Networks (Physical, Hydrological, Socio-Economic, Impacts)

Integrate & Interpret that Data with Easily Accessible & Understandable Tools

Supported by Western Governors 1616

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Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System

Key Understandings Growth in populations,

energy consumption and economy

100 million people live in U.S. counties that exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Poor air quality harmful to health of adults and children

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The Road Ahead

Continue to engage academic, industry, and non-profit partners to guarantee plan comprehensive and useful

Public comments and November 2004 workshop Industry alliance has been formed

Update draft; e.g., incorporate public comments and November 2004 workshop outputsDeliver final draft to international GEO process

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Private Sector

Acquire and use Earth observations The private sector represents major providers, enablers, and

consumers of Earth observation and environmental information Integrated Observation system will encompass needs of private

sector

Economic Impacts National institutes which provide weather, climate, public

health, and water services contribute $20-40 billion to economy Weather and Climate sensitive industries account for up to 1/3

of nation’s GDP $2.7 trillion

System of Systems Opportunities for development of new and existing Earth

observation systems

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Earth Observation Information

Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation Systemhttp://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/draftstrategicplan.asp

U.S. Interagency Working Group on Earth Observationshttp://IWGEO.ssc.nasa.gov/

Global Earth Observation System http://earthobservations.org/

Earth Observation Fact Sheet, Benefit Sheets for all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Tribal Nationshttp://www.epa.gov/geoss/benefits

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Comment on theDraft Strategic Plan for the US Integrated Earth Observation System

Comment period open until November 8, 2004Electronic Comments onlySend to iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov

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15 USG Agencies and 3 White House Offices

Department of Commerce NOAA NIST

Department of Defense Air Force National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Navy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Department of EnergyDepartment of Health & Human Services

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of the Interior US Geological Survey

Department of StateDepartment of Transportation

Environmental Protection AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Science FoundationSmithsonian InstitutionTennessee Valley AuthorityU.S. Agency for International DevelopmentU.S. Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Research Service U.S. Forest Service

White House Council on Environmental QualityWhite House Office of Management & BudgetWhite House Office of Science & Technology Policy