# Presentation: 742246

## AMS85

- Dr. James R. Mahoney
- Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere  |  NOAA Assistant Administrator
- January 10, 2005

- From Information to Action:Global Earth Observation System of Systems

## Benefits of Earth Observations

**Notes:**
Societal Benefit Focus Areas for U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System (note: GEO benefits differ slightly on Oceans and Ecological Forecasting – GEO benefit areas are Coastal, Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity instead.)

Weather Forecasting   
Reduce Loss of Life and Property from Disasters
Protect and Monitor Our Ocean Resources 
Understand, Assess, Predict, Mitigate, and Adapt to  Climate Variability and Change
Support Sustainable Agriculture and Combat Land Degradation
Understand the Effect of Environmental Factors on Human Health and Well-Being
Develop the Capacity to Make Ecological Forecasts Protect and Monitor Water Resources
Monitor and Manage Energy Resources

## Earth Observations Value: Harmful Algal Blooms

- Earth Observations Value: Harmful Algal Blooms

- GOESS requires cross disciplinary partnerships

- Research & Operations

- =

- Oceanographers

- Meteorologists

- Biologists

- +

- +

**Notes:**
Early 1970 ́s estimate:  $20 million for average 3-4 month bloom. 
The 1995-96 red tide problem cost Florida “at least double that amount.”
Loss of fish and shellfish
$6 million dockside for clams and oysters in 2002-2003.  
News reports "tar" areas well away from affected areas.  
Charter boat cancellations
Sarasota Herald Tribune (21 Sep 2004) editorial on Forecasts:  
“[Forecasts are] important information. Besides causing respiratory distress in people and killing fish and other marine life, red tide is a big problem for Florida's tourism-dependent economy.”

Oceanographers, meteorologists and biologists need to work together to solve this issue.  This cross disciplinary effort dovetails with the goals of GEOSS and also is relevant to the U.S. Ocean Policy Commission.  NOAA is trying to bridge these gaps for the benefit of society.

NOTE: DUS Kelly is speaking Tuesday night at the AMS International Dinner and his talk is called
Crossing the Great Divide: Bringing Disciplines Together to Serve Society

## Earth Observations Value: Health

- Malaria killed more than a million people in 2003
- Primarily in developing world
- Early warning system
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Vegetation
- Soil Moisture
- Possible outbreak prevention

- AVHRR

- AVHRR-SST

- TOPEX-SSA

- SeaWiFS-Chl-a

**Notes:**
We are only beginning to comprehend impact of environmental phenomena on human health issues. US is examining linkages between ocean phenomena & human health environmental trends on human health.  

An estimated 300-500 million people worldwide are infected with malaria each year; about 1 million die from the largely preventable disease. Trends show "normal" annual cycle of malaria is intensified during El Niño events (local, regional & national levels).

Partnerships – addressing the issue
1) Columbia University, the International Research Institute (IRI), partnered with World Health Organization, USAID, & USGS; 2) University of Alabama at Huntsville, partnered with NASA

Both groups are using Earth observations, namely satellites, coupled with computer models [temperature, humidity, vegetation & soil moisture] to predict when & where mosquitoes may cause an epidemic. Main objective is to provide tools & training to develop capacity in malaria control staff for improved decision-making, ie., develop an early warning system.  Very important issue in developing world – Asia, Africa, & South America. 

U. Of Alabama professors hope to test a rudimentary system aimed at testing in one Malaria hotspot in India – the Mewat region, area south of New Delhi (700,000 pop.)

Such an alert system could help predict epidemic outbreaks weeks in advance, helping local authorities take steps before massive loss of life.

In the future, it is possible that a comprehensive monitoring of physical, chemical & biological parameters in combination with super computing will give us the capability to predict & prepare for such human health issues as the next outbreak of diseases like Malaria, West Nile Virus or SARS.  

## Earth Observations Value: Air Quality

- Earth Observations Value: Air Quality

- _Observations_
- Wet deposition trends
- Aerosol composition
- Global ozone distributions
- Forest fire locations

- _Improved Understanding_
- Aerosol formation
- Nighttime chemistry
- Boundary layer
- Emissions

- _Modeling_
- Aerosol mechanisms
- Boundary conditions
- Data assimilation
- Operations

- Collaborators from many universities, companies, agencies, and countries

**Notes:**
NOAA is meeting these challenges through an integrated program of observations, improving our understanding of air quality-related issues, and modeling.

Observations include space-based measurements of aerosol concentrations and global ozone distributions and identification of wildfire locations; long-term monitoring of wet deposition trends; and research-grade measurements of atmospheric constituents for limited regions and time periods.

Our understanding is improved through interpretation of observations (from NOAA observations and other sources) and laboratory observations. Understanding is shared with the scientific community and air quality decision-makers.

Improved understanding is incorporated into models, which are evaluated and further improved based on observations. Models are used for air quality forecasting and to evaluate alternate approaches for achieving cleaner air.

Improved understanding and models are used to identify new types of observations that should be taken, to interpret measurements, and to design new observing systems.

Collaborators include the following:
Universities: UNH, U. of Wisconsin-Madison, U. of Colorado
Agencies: EPA (including MOU for research and MOA for forecasting operations), NASA, Forest Service, Park Service, NSF, Dept. of Energy, state/local environmental agencies
Countries: Canada, U.K., France, Germany

## Earth Observations Value: Agriculture

- Production tied to healthy environment & sound planning
- Understanding El Niño/La Niña patterns
- Worldwide benefits to agriculture
- Help predict & understand droughts, harvests, potential crop damage
- Make decisions based on sustainable agriculture practices

## Earth Observations Value: Water Resources

- Observations

- Sound Decision Making

**Notes:**
NOAA’s integrated services enable the balanced use of our finite water resources.

From observations providing data for our community modeling, forecasting and product delivery activities, to our ecosystem based management practices, 
NOAA services and information contribute to multiple water resource benefits.

Everything is connected through the integration of NOAA’s services and our community partnership with other federal and non-federal entities:
 Satellites,
 Fisheries,
 Meteorology,
 Hydrology,
 Hydropower, and
 Navigation.

The Columbia River Basin provides an example of the balanced use of our finite water resources.  Through integrated services, short- to long-term water resource and ecosystem management practices benefit:
Fisheries, Power generation, and Navigation.

## National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

- Supported by Western Governors
- 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
- Near-term Outcome of Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observing System

**Notes:**
The socio-economic toll has prompted the Western Governors Association to call on President Bush to create the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).  

NIDIS will coordinate and integrate a variety of observations, analysis techniques and forecasting methods in a system that will support drought assessment and decision-making at the lowest geopolitical level possible.  

The tools will allow users to access, transform and display basic data and forecasts across a range of spatial and temporal scales most suited to their individual needs.  Such a system will result in better informed management decisions which will reduce the economic impacts of future droughts.  

Because of its importance, the U.S. Strategic Plan for an integrated Earth Observing System proposed to develop NIDIS in the short-term, and NOAA will lead this multi-agency effort.

## Administration’s Response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

- December 17, 2004
- Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy
- U.S. Ocean Action Plan

## Committee on Ocean Policy

- Chaired by chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
- Cabinet level membership
- Will advise President and heads of agencies on policies concerning ocean-related matters
- Responsibilities:
- Ocean science and technology
- Ocean literacy and education
- Ocean resource management

**Notes:**
Committee Functions
 Review/advise on policies or policy implementation actions
 Facilitate:
Development and implementation of common goals for governmental activities
Voluntary regional approaches
Use of science in establishment of policy
Collection, development, dissemination, and exchange of information
Ensure coordinated government development and implementation of the ocean component of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 

## U.S. Ocean Action PlanAction Highlights

- Create a National Water Quality Monitoring Network
- Implementing New Legislation on Oceans and Human Health, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
- Expanding NOAA’s Authority to Education and Outreach
- Improved Management of Coasts and Watersheds
- Share U.S. Ocean Science Expertise Abroad
- Support Marine and Multi-modal Transportation
- Integrate U.S. Ocean Observing Efforts into the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS)

**Notes:**
Improved Management of Coasts and Watersheds could include locally relevant discussion of one key action highlight which is “Implement California Water Supply Reliability and Environmental Improvement Act.”  Also known as CALFED, and signed by President Bush in October 2004, this Act authorizes a major environmental initiative to restore California’s critical San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta estuary while also addressing the needs or urban and agricultural waters users.

Marine and multi-modal transportation – assess short sea shipping studies (movement of cargo by inland and coastal waterways) and navigation improvement ($2.7 million to update current 175-station National Water Level Observation Network to provide marine transportation users with real time tide and water level information – a part of GEOSS).

## Indian Ocean Tsunami Tragedy

- NOAA deploying existing DART buoys to Indian Ocean
- Buoys transmit vital data to established satellite networks
- USGS real-time data and tide gauges information
- Increased coordination with affected countries
- Part of Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GOESS)

**Notes:**
TsunamiReady is part of the NWS StormReady Program.
Just like StormReady -- TsunamiReady communities are better prepared to save lives from severe weather.
When communities partner with the NWS, it requires hard work, time, resources, and energy.
TsunamiReady recognizes communities for their efforts.
Emergency Managers and citizens are proud of their TsunamiReady recognition.

Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART)  (see provided details on system)

## NOAA’s TsunamiReady Program

- Increased awareness/education
- Maximize warning dissemination methods
- Emergency management/NOAA cooperative effort
- 15 TsunamiReady Communities in 5 states
-  Including UCSB – first higher learning institution recognized

**Notes:**
Community is more prepared “for all hazards.”                         
Regularly scheduled education forums
Increase contacts with experts (emergency managers, researchers, NWS personnel)
Identify community readiness needs
Improve position to receive State/Federal funds
Enhance “core” infrastructure to support other community hazards
Allow public to see how tax dollars are being spent

Details on all 13 TsunamiReady communities will be provided separately.  These sites are in CA, OR, WA, AK, and HI.  The StormReady program was developed initially.  Then the program was expanded to include additional requirements, so that if satisfied, a community could become TsunamiReady (as well as StormReady, which is a “subset” of StormReady).

## Focus on Education