Identifying And Quantifying The Benefits Of GEOSS

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Drawing of the Galileo satellite. credit ESA

Image of the EuroGEOSS logoThe European Commission sponsored project ‰ÛÏGlobal Earth Observation ‰ÛÒ Benefit Estimation: Now, Next and Emerging‰Û (GEOBENE) has developed methodologies and analytical tools to assess the societal benefit areas (SBAs) of GEO in the domains of: Disasters, Health, Energy, Climate, Water, Weather, Ecosystems, Agriculture and Biodiversity. This article presents several of these overarching methodologies as a contribution to the ongoing effort to improve GEOSS, and looks to the future via the EuroGEOSS Project.

The CEOS-Land Surface Imaging Constellation Portal for GEOSS: A resource for land surface imaging system information and data access

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Image from USGS EarthExplorer web site showing a forest.Created under the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), the Land Surface Imaging (LSI) Constellation’s mission is to promote the efficient, effective, and comprehensive collection, distribution, and application of space-acquired image data of the global land surface, especially to meet societal needs of the global population, such as those addressed by the nine Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs). Developed with the participation of a variety of international agencies, the CEOS LSI Constellation provides access for the community of users interested in mid-resolution optical land remotely sensed data and information.

Announcement – Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. announces a Call for Participation (CFP) in Phase 3 of the GEOSS Architecture Implementation Pilot (AIP)

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Image of GEO logoThe Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC®) announces a Call for Participation (CFP) in Phase 3 of the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) Architecture Implementation Pilot (AIP) issued by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). The CFP documents are available at: http://earthobservations.org/geoss_call_aip.shtml.

AIRNow-International: The Future of the United States Real-time Air Quality Reporting and Forecasting Program with GEOSS participation

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Small image of the AIRNow Air Quality Index ranging from Good to Hazardous.The goal of AIRNow-International is to strengthen relationships among governments and international organizations by sharing the technology to transform air quality data into vital information. AIRNow-International is poised to become the centerpiece of the United States Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) real-time air quality reporting and forecasting program. The system is a redesign of the AIRNow information technology infrastructure that distributes current air quality information for the United States and Canada. The AIRNow-International software suite is being built to support and embrace the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) concept.

Directing the Evolution of GEOSS Technical Architecture

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Cropped image of Haitian flooding“As a “system of systems”, GEOSS is composed of contributed Earth Observation systems, ranging from primary data collection systems to systems for the creation and distribution of information products. Although all GEOSS systems continue to operate within their own mandates, GEOSS systems can leverage each other so that the overall GEOSS becomes much more than the sum of its component systems. This synergy develops as each contributor supports common arrangements designed to make shared observations and products more accessible, comparable, and understandable.” In this opinion editorial, George Percivall, chief architect of the GEOSS Interoperability Program, describes the remarkable progress that GEOSS builders have already made.

IEEE Committee on Earth Observation Standards Working Group (ISWG) is recruiting volunteers to build GEOSS

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Image of ICEO logoImagine a world where adoption of uniform standards for all manner of Earth observation systems and services made universal interoperability the rule, not the exception. Working towards this goal, the international community of volunteers who comprise ISWG has been meeting regularly since May 2005. As it moves forward, ICEO has a call for volunteers to participate as a team of experts to establish best practices for the taxonomies and ontologism of Earth Observation.

Indigenous Perspectives in GEOSS: An Interview with Dr. Gregory Cajete

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Cropped image of Dr. Gregory CajeteEarthzine’s Editor-In-Chief Paul Racette speaks with Dr. Gregory Cajete – a Tewa Indian from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico and author of five books on Native American education, history and philosophy – about Native American science and the role Indigenous perspectives have in realizing an integrated Earth observing system.