The Importance of GMES & GEOSS: Integrating Our Earth Observation Systems

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

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

4. 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 Integrating Our Earth Observation System

5. 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 Many Systems Contributing to GEOSS U.S. IEOS GEOSS GMES Integrating Our Earth Observation System

6. The Global Earth Observation System of SystemsStatus 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 Integrating Our Earth Observation System

7. 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 Integrating Our Earth Observation System

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

9. 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 Integrating Our Earth Observation System