Earth Observations Plan Review
October 24, 2004
The Interagency Group on Earth Observations, a Subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, of the National Science and Technology Council, has made a draft 10-year plan available for public comment, with comments due by Nov 8, 2004 by email. Detailed activity reports for 9 societal benefit areas, including climate, will soon be released as Appendix 3 of that plan, with an extended comment period. Appendix 2 of the plan identifies several "near-term opportunities" for enhanced Earth observations. The full plan will provide the United States a basis for negotiating an international plan as part of the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO), at Earth Summit 3, scheduled to occur in Brussels in February 2005. Several of the 51 member nations of the GEO are also preparing their national plans, and a draft joint international 10-year plan will also eventually be available for public review. Full Story