EARTH OBSERVATIONS A NOAA Perspective

1. EARTH OBSERVATIONS A NOAA Perspective Presenters Mary E. KiczaAssistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services Zdenka S. WillisDirector, Integrated Ocean Observing System, National Ocean Service Kevin J. Schrab, PhDChief, Observing Services Division, National Weather Service Stephen K. Brown, PhDChief, Assessment and Monitoring Division, National Marine Fisheries Service March 16, 2009 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

2. NOAA’s Vision and Mission NOAA’s Vision An informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions NOAA’s Mission To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs 2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

3. NOAA Services are Responsive to Societal Needs Climate Oceans and Marine Life Coasts Monitoring and responding to climate change and its impacts Sustaining the Nation’s fisheries and ocean ecosystems Reducing the economic and societal impacts of coastal hazards, habitat loss, and coastal pollution High Impact Weather and Water Transportation Saving lives and property from damaging weather and water events Supporting a safe, efficient and robust transportation system National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

4. NOAA–0bserving from the Ocean Floor to the Sun’s Surface

5. Value of Earth Observations • Better Information for Better Decision Making • Prediction • Worldwide agricultural benefits of better El Niño forecasts are conservatively estimated at $450-$550million/year • U.S. average annual hurricane damage is $5.1 billion and 20 deaths • Prevention • More than 90% of natural disaster-related deaths occur in developing countries • Since 1900, over 200 tsunami events have caused 500 deaths and $186 million in damages in the U.S. and its territories • Preparedness • More than 50% of the world’s population lives within 60 km of the shoreline; this could rise to 75% by the year 2020 • Protect and Manage Resources • Approximately 1,890 species are listed under the Endangered Species Act • 125 Species are managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 5

6. NOAA’s Earth Observing Systems Space-Based Ocean-Based Land-Based Air-Based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

7. NOAA’s Current Earth Observing Systems • Ships—18 NOAA owned and operated vessels • Aircraft—14 NOAA owned and operated planes • Buoys—more than 19 separate systems worldwide (exceeding 3400 buoys) • Radars—121 weather radars • Surface Weather and Climate Systems • NWS Automated Surface Observing System (312) • Surface-based Climate Networks (>1000) • U.S. Climate Reference Network (114) • U.S. Historical Climate Network (1221) • Upper Air Systems • Weather balloons (92 sites) and 35 wind profilers • Dropped sensors from aircraft (tracking hurricanes and other marine storms) • Research Systems • Autonomous Underwater Vehicles • Unmanned Aircraft Systems • Satellites—16 meteorological satellites in 3 separate constellations • Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites - Last POES (NOAA-19) was launched February 6, 2009 • Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites - GOES-O scheduled to be launched in April 2009 • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program • Jason 2 satellite altimetry NOAA’s diverse workforce provides crucial value-added interpretation and analysis of data collected from these observing systems National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 7

8. Mandates and Policy Drivers • Directive Authorities • Weather Service Organic Act • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act • Marine Mammal Protection Act • Endangered Species Act • Coastal Zone Management Act • National Marine Sanctuaries Act • Hydrographic Services Improvement Act • Tsunami Warning and Education Act • +….. • External Recommendations • U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy • Ocean Action Plan • Joint Ocean Commission • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) • +…… National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

9. GEO and USGEO Overview • Group on Earth Observations (GEO) • Membership consists of 76 countries and the European Commission, over 56 participating organizations and observers • Earth Observation Ministerial Summit held every 3 years, GEO Plenary every year, and GEO Executive Committee 3 times per year • GEO is governed by an Executive Committee, Plenary, Secretariat, and 4 Committees • Next GEO Plenary is planned for Washington, D.C., in November 2009 • U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) • Currently 25 participating U.S. Government Department and Agency members including 2 White House offices • Standing subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources • 5 functional groups; full committee meets monthly • Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) • 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 Unifying Principle: The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 9

10. NOAA’s PartnershipsKey GEOSS Example:U.S.IOOS® • IOOS® contains the following: • Global Component • Coastal Component • 17 Federal Agencies • 11 Regional Associations • Initial IOOS® activities include: • Regional data integration • Building a Data Integration Framework • Observing the Global Ocean for Climate 10 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

11. NOAA’s Measurements/Products • Atmosphere • Surface • Upper-Air Ocean • Surface • Sub-surface Space and Solar Marine Ecosystems • Fishery Independent and Dependent Data • Plankton Surveys • Protected Resource Surveys • Environmental Data Management National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

12. Atmosphere (Surface) • Benefits • Severe storms and weather forecast (hurricane, tornado, flash flood) • Drought monitoring • Climate monitoring • Pollution/air quality • Transportation (air, surface & marine) • Measurements • Pressure/temperature/moisture • Precipitation • Wind/visibility • Soil moisture • Surface radiation flux • Aerosols • Greenhouse gases • Ozone-depleting gases • Observing Platforms • Remote-Sensing • Satellites/aircraft • Radars • In Situ • Surface weather networks • Surface-based climate networks (U.S. Climate Reference Network) • Cooperative Observer Network (citizens) • Ships/buoys • Strategic Emphasis • Sustaining and upgrading aging surface climate & weather networks • ASOS IT upgrade & modernizing the Historical Climate Network • Carbon Tracker • NEXRAD Dual Polarization upgrade • Snow surveys • Air quality for human health National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

13. Atmosphere (Upper-Air) • Measurements • Pressure • Temperature • Water vapor • Wind • Clouds • Aerosols • Volcanic ash • Stratospheric ozone • Benefits • Severe storms and weather forecast (hurricane, tornado, flash flood) • Climate monitoring • Aviation efficiency and safety • Observing Platforms • Remote-Sensing • Satellites • Radar Wind Profilers • GPS weather application measurements • In Situ • Weather/climate balloons • Aircraft (manned and unmanned) • Ships • Strategic Emphasis • Volcanic ash • Aviation hazard • Carbon Tracker • Ozone depletion monitoring • Expand upper atmosphere winds detection • Ground and space LIDAR techniques National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

14. Ocean (Surface) • Benefits • Marine transportation • Climate monitoring & forecasting • Hurricane/storm response • Harmful algal bloom detection • Fishery management • Coral conservation/restoration • Human health/hypoxia • Ecosystem assessments • Coasts and Great Lakes • Measurements • Temperature • Sea level - altimetry/seastate/waves • Winds • Color • Nutrients/contaminants/pathogens • Tides/currents/sea ice • Air-sea exchange of CO2 • Marine debris • Turbidity/sediment • Observing Platforms • Remote-Sensing • Satellites • Coastal high frequency current radars • In Situ • Ship/buoy • Aircraft/autonomous vehicles • Real-time ocean information • Tide gauges • Port observing systems • Strategic Emphasis • Expand ocean color observations • Reviewing alternatives for long-term continuity • Continuity of remote sensing ocean observations • Consideration of continuity for system acquisition decisions National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

15. Ocean (Sub-Surface) • Benefits • Marine transportation • Climate monitoring & forecasting • Fishery management • Coral conservation/restoration • Storage & global transfer of heat • Sea level rise/tsunami warnings • Ocean carbon • Ecosystem assessments • Measurements • Hazard assessment-clear passage • Bathymetry/sediments • Ocean acidification • Nutrients and contaminants • Ocean profiles of: • Temperature • Salinity • Currents • Observing Platforms • Remote-Sensing • SONAR depth mapping • In Situ • Ships/buoys/Argo floats • Certified divers • Autonomous underwater vehicles • Real-time ocean information • Strategic Emphasis • Expanded hazard detection • Ship recapitalization plan and ship operating days • Tsunami Warning Buoys • National Water Level Observation Network & Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) • Divers install and maintain components National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

16. Space and Solar • Benefits • Aviation • Power industry • Satellite health and safety • Astronaut safety • GPS navigation uncertainty • Telecommunication • Measurements • Solar winds/storms • Energetic particles (radiation) • Auroral energy deposition • Ionosphere characterization • Solar flares/corona mass ejections • Radio bursts • Geomagnetic fields • Strategic Emphasis • Power grid impacts • Continuity of solar winds/storms detection • Studies of alternatives for solar wind instrument in progress • Observing Platforms • Remote-Sensing • Satellites • Surface observatories • In Situ • Satellites National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

17. Marine Ecosystems • Measurements • Abundance and distribution of living marine resources (LMR) • Monitor fishery catch and bycatch • Evaluate recovery of threatened and endangered species • Assess status of marine ecosystems • Evaluate health of coral & other habitats • Monitor effects of ocean acidification • Benefits • Fishery management • Health of LMRs and their habitat • Recovering endangered species • Coral health • Effect of ocean acidification and other climate impacts • Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEAs) • Observing Platforms • Ships • Aircraft • Buoys • Autonomous and remotely-controlled vehicles • Satellites • Animal tagging • Fishery-dependent modes of observation (e.g., observers, video) • Strategic Emphasis • Developing annual catch limits • Rebuilding fish stocks • Protecting and conserving protected species • Habitat characterization and mapping National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 17

18. Environmental Data Management • Benefits • Weather and water • Climate • Ecosystems • Commerce and transportation • Requirements • Accessibility • Discoverability • Usability • Integration • Preservation/reuse • Strategic Emphasis • Access to long-term archives • Applying CLASS to address large data records • Addressing increased information volume and diversity • Developing high performance computing plan • Gaps in environmental data records • Integration of observations and products • Approaches/Systems • Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) • Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System • Global Earth Observations-Integrated Data Environment • Integrated Ocean Observing System Data Integration Framework • National Integrated Drought Information System/climate portals National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 18

19. Summary • Earth observations are a critical element of NOAA’s mission • NOAA has a broad mission--requires extensive observing systems • NOAA leads U.S. Government in operational Earth observing systems • Demand for Earth observations continues to grow • NOAA must continue to invest in EO to ensure the Nation has access to crucial observations in the future Final Presentation will be posted online: www.legislative.noaa.gov/policybriefs.html" National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 19

20. Conclusion • NOAA cannot achieve its Mission to Understand and Predict without a sustainable, robust Earth observation system Image description: Sea surface temperature (SST) during El Nino in 1997 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

21. BACKUP SLIDES National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

22. Land Ownership Transportation Surface Waters Boundaries Elevation Geodetic Control Aerial Imagery NOAA’s Geospatial Foundation NOAA’s National Spatial Reference System provides the solid thread that weaves through all of NOAA’s observation systems. The positional framework it provides is integral to supporting the agency’s and the Nation’s data collection and validation efforts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 22

23. NOAA’s Areas of Strategic Emphasis • Ships—Recapitalization Plan • Aircraft—Recapitalization Plan • Buoys—Recapitalization Plan Phase 1and 2 • Radars • Dual-Polarization • Multi-function Phased Array • Wind Profiler Network • Satellite • Continuity and Research to Operations (R2O) • Surface Weather and Climate Systems • Historical Climate Network Modernization • U.S. Climate Reference Network sustainment • Surface weather sensor sustainment • Upper Air Systems • Climate Reference Radiosonde • GPS improved resolution upgrade • Fishery Dependent Systems • National Observer Program/Fisheries Information System/Port Sampling System • Socio-economic surveys • Build the U.S. IOOS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

24. Subsurface Ocean Example: Climate Monitoring – Global Ocean Heat The Ocean has potential to store 1000 times more Heat than the Atmosphere. Warming ocean water expands, leading to Sea Level Rise World Ocean Heat Content Measuring Ocean Temperature with buoys, ships, Argo profiling floats, and satellites Deploying an Argo Float One month of Subsurface Temperature observations from the Global Ocean Observing System. NOAA provides 48% of the platforms in this international system. How Argo Floats work Ocean Climate Reference Station 24 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)