Around IEEE
Editor's Note: Tom Wiener came to our AdCom meeting to talk about this project. He's looking for volunteers to help with it. It sounds like a cool project.
GEO, GEOSS, and the IEEE
by Tom Wiener
GEO and GEOSS are part of an international effort to use Earth observation data to benefit the world by improving living conditions in developing countries, and through GEOSS, to provide information on global resources to decision makers at all levels.
IEEE's Role
IEEE has a leading role as a Participating Organization in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). It is the lead organization for 12 of the tasks in the development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The IEEE is also co-chairing two of the four committees guiding GEOSS development.
IEEE’s exemplary performance as a Participating in GEO is drawing kudos, leading to requests for help from several countries and the European Commission. IEEE is acting through the IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (www.ieee-earth.org).
Current Projects
IEEE plays a significant role in several interesting projects, including the four highlighted here:
All of these projects need additional volunteers and provide a great opportunity for IEEE members to get involved.
GEOPortal
The ‘GEOPortal’ provides a single Internet access point for users seeking data, imagery, and analytical software packages relevant to all parts of the globe. The development of the GEOPortal and the related standards and interoperability arrangements has been led by the IEEE. It connects users to existing databases and portals and provides reliable, up-to-date and user-friendly information — vital for the work of decision makers, planners, and emergency managers. For users with limited or no access to the Internet, similar information is available via the ‘GEONETCast’ network of telecommunication satellites.
SAVEEARTH game
The IEEE, with substantial involvement of the Computer Society, is conducting a contest to build a computer game, the SAVEEARTH Game, based on Earth Observations. The game's objective is to manage development in a sustainable fashion on two separate continents. The results of the game depend on real-time integration of actual earth observations.
It is a two-phase competition. Phase I, with an entry deadline of 10 April 10 2009, calls for the suggestions for a computer game to show how using earth observations can make the world a better place.
The game design needs to consider how the following areas affect the Earth:
- Disasters
- Health
- Energy
- Climate
- Water
- Weather
- Ecosystems
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
For the second phase of the competition, with entries due in June 2009, technical teams build a playable prototype game. Whether you are a student or a professional, enter the contest now. For more details, go to http://www.saveearthgame.org/.
Earthzine
Earthzine (www.earthzine.org), an IEEE-sponsored Web magazine, fosters earth observation and global awareness. It provides general and specific information on societal issues and sustainability for the general public. Its technical level is similar to IEEE Spectrum, and is a task in the GEO Work Plan for developing GEOSS. Earthzine, like the SAVEEARTH Game Contest, increase public awareness about GEO, the development of GEOSS, and the importance of Earth observations in making the world a better place to live.
Water for the World
The IEEE, through the ICEO, and supported by the New Initiative Committee, has initiated Water for the World to provide a view of the problems, science and engineering challenges, and opportunities in providing fresh water resources to regional and global populations. It is a 3-phase program.
Phase One, now complete, developed an Actionable Vision to bring Water to the World. It focuses on engineering and innovation, drawing on the extensive work that has already been done at regional and international levels.
One of the solutions suggested by Phase One’s Actionable Vision involves conducting Pilot Projects to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches.
In Phase Two, the 16 proposed Pilot Projects will be persistent, sustainable, repeatable, and scalable. ICEO is now pursuing funding for their implementation. ICEO plans to enroll various regional and international authorities in the location of the Phase Two Pilot Projects.
Phase Three, building on the successes and the lessons of Phase Two, will be the basis for the institutionalization of the solutions proposed in the Actionable Vision. Our goal is to provide internationally accepted programs to Bring Water to the World, owned and directed by an international body.
Background
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) (www.earthobservations.org) was established in February 2005 by the Third Earth Observation Summit in Brussels. GEO was launched in response to calls for action by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries. These high-level meetings recognized that international collaboration is essential for exploiting the growing potential of Earth observations to support decision making in an increasingly complex and environmentally stressed world.
GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. As of February 2009, GEO’s Members include 76 governments and the European Commission. In addition, 56 intergovernmental, international, and regional organizations with a mandate in Earth observation or related issues, including the IEEE, have been recognized as Participating Organizations. Members make voluntary financial contributions to GEO.
GEO is coordinating efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) on the basis of a 10-Year Implementation Plan.
Adopted by the Third Earth Observation Summit, the Plan runs from 2005 to 2015. It defines a vision statement for GEOSS, its purpose and scope, expected benefits, nine “Societal Benefit Areas” (disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity), technical and capacity building priorities, and the GEO governance structure.
To measure progress and maintain momentum, the Plan also sets out 107 two-year targets, 83 six-year targets and 56 ten-year targets. These are realized in the GEO 2009-2011 Work Plan.
GEO-I established four Committees to guide the implementation of the 10-Year Plan. The Committees address themes that cut across, and are relevant to, each of the nine issue-specific Social Benefit Areas. These four permanent bodies are the Architecture and Data, Science and Technology, User Interface, and Capacity Building Committees. The IEEE co-chairs the Architecture and Data Committee and the User Interface Committee.
Conclusion
As the work progresses, more IEEE Societies are taking the responsibility of directing, managing, and supporting individual work plan tasks. For example, the Oceanic Engineering Society is working to develop the Ocean Observing System. The Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society has taken responsibility for a Health Monitoring and Reporting task. There are additional opportunities.
The IEEE is demonstrating the breadth and power of its volunteer membership to serve society in a major global development activity in support of world sustainability. The IEEE culture of accomplishment places it disproportionally in positions of leadership. The understanding of the technical details needed to assemble GEOSS and the appreciation of the difficulties and opportunities presented by the gigantic and complex integration needed for GEOSS are both present in the technical breadth of IEEE’s Field of Interest.
Further, the global reach of IEEE’s membership provides precisely the base needed to support Capacity Building activities that are the purposes of GEO. You can join other IEEE volunteers in this important work by emailing ICEO at .
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Dr. Thomas F. Wiener (www.thomasfwiener.org) is an Aerospace Engineer with over 40 years of increasing responsibility in conducting and directing high technology research and development efforts. Now the Principal of the Forté Consultancy, he was a Program Manager in the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for 10 years. He served in the U.S. Navy for over 22 years, qualified in Destroyers and in Submarines. He commanded the nuclear attack submarine USS JACK. His special technical proficiencies span the fields of missile technology, inertial guidance and automatic control, imaging and non-imaging sensors, and C3I. He has acquired substantial expertise in training and education in the Navy and in civilian life.
