Global Earth monitoring system moves a step closer
The conclusion of a global ten year programme of coordinated Earth observation moved a step closer to reality on 25 April, when representatives from 47 countries and two dozen international organisations meeting in Tokyo, Japan, approved a draft implementation plan. The proposed monitoring network, known as the global Earth observation system of systems (GEOSS), will provide environmental data for both scientific and humanitarian purposes. Both developed and developing nations alike will have access to the all the data gathered by the network. Among Europe's representatives in GEOSS are 14 EU Member States (including Cyprus), Norway, Switzerland and the European Commission. Europe's technical contribution to the network comes in the form of the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security initiative, managed jointly by the Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA's Earth observation director of programmes, José Achache, said: 'Securing the draft implementation plan represents a useful step forward in turning the GEOSS idea into a reality. And all participants from Europe were united in their support of GMES as its European component.' The GMES initiative is expected to be up and running by 2008, following preparation of the required components between 2004 and 2006 under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The project has also been included on the 'Quick Start' list of the Commission's Initiative for Growth, which may help it to secure funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The key aim behind GEOSS is to maximise the effectiveness and returns from Earth observation activities by minimising data gaps, building capacity and exchanging information in a prompt and thorough manner. The increased knowledge of the environment that such a system would offer would be a key resource for decision makers around the world. The draft implementation plan was agreed by ministers and other representatives of the GEOSS partners, following a two day summit of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in Tokyo to finalise its contents. The meeting built on the work of previous GEO summits in Baverno, Italy, and Cape Town, South Africa. 'The feeling is that the summit has made an important contribution,' said Mr Achache. 'It's about more than improving weather forecasting and the study of climate change. GEOSS will be a tool for planetary management, a resource for more efficient development, and a means of mitigating disasters.' On the basis of the draft implementation plan, additional work will be carried out by five GEOSS subgroups, dealing with architecture, capacity building, data utilisation, user requirements and international cooperation. ESA acts as co-chair of the architecture subgroup. The finalised ten year implementation plan is expected to be presented to ministers for acceptance at an Earth Observation Summit in Brussels next February.