PRESIDENT, INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ALLIANCE FOR EARTH OBSERVATIONS

 

SUBMITTED ON MARCH 3, 2007,

TO THE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE, AERONAUTICS, AND RELATED SCIENCES

HEARING ON

NATIONAL IMPERATIVES FOR EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

 

 

 

 

Chairman Nelson, Ranking Member Hutchison, members of the Committee, special guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am Nancy Colleton, president of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.  Our efforts are devoted to furthering knowledge of the Earth system and promoting the value and use of the technology tools that help us better understand our changing planet. The Institute’s efforts include everything from developing resources for K-12 science education and teacher professional development, to facilitating international cooperative activities in Earth science and applications. 

 

I am here today representing one of our major initiatives, the Alliance for Earth Observations—an informal confederation of organizations devoted to promoting Earth observations for social and economic benefit.   The Alliance has been a strong advocate of the importance of engaging the private sector (industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations) in the planning of Earth observation systems, primarily the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System (IEOS) and the multinational Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). 

 

The Alliance membership is diverse and includes stakeholders such as system developers, data providers, geospatial technology firms, university-based research institutes, and a non-governmental organization that focuses on science applications for conservation.  Since our effort began in December 2003, we have implemented an aggressive outreach effort to numerous business sectors (e.g., clean technologies, energy, agriculture, public health) to raise awareness of the importance of Earth observations.  Attachment A includes a listing of the Alliance members.   An Alliance Public Policy Statement on the Decadal Survey for Earth Observations is included in Attachment B.

 

 

 

We are here today to examine one of the most critical tools of Earth science:  satellite observations. Whether we realize it or not, we all work in the field of Earth science and benefit from satellite observations.  Whether you are a policy maker, an investor, a farmer, a fisherman, or a truck driver, the Earth is changing and it is influencing our work, our decisions, our recreation, our resources, our economy, and our future.   I am honored to participate in this important hearing, National Imperatives for Earth Science Research. 

 

 

The purpose of today’s hearing is to discuss the recent National Research Council report, Earth Science and Applications from Space:  National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond.  I thank Drs. Berrien Moore and Rick Anthes on the leadership that they have provided as co-chairs of this study.  I congratulate them and the other members of the Decadal Survey Committee on this exceptional report.  As we all know, the quality and breadth of reports such as this don’t just happen; they require a very dedicated and concerted effort.

 

Quoting from the report, "the United States' extraordinary foundation of global observations is at great risk. Between 2006 and the end of the decade, the number of operating missions will decrease dramatically and the number of operating sensors and instruments on NASA spacecraft, most of which are well past their lifetimes, will decrease by 50 percent."  As my colleague, Governor Jim Geringer (former Governor of Wyoming) pointed out in his testimony on this topic on February 13^th to the House Science and Technology Committee, “That means a fifty percent reduction in today’s already inadequate space-based information systems. …It is difficult to maintain your vision from a crumbling vantage point.”

 

I offer four primary observations to this Senate Committee for your consideration and deliberation:

 

·        The fact that the Decadal Survey Committee’s vision for a decadal program in Earth observations went beyond fundamental science to consider “increased applications to serve the nation and people of the world” is a significant and much-needed shift in approach to the U.S. program.

·        The U.S. should build upon our space-based Earth observation programs and move forward with the U.S. IEOS—incorporating space, aircraft, and in situ instruments, and the requisite analytical capabilities.

·        Clear leadership is essential to resolve the issues and attain the goals identified in the Decadal Survey.

·        The time to act is now.

 

 

This year, we will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Our Common Future, the groundbreaking report of the World Commission on Environment and Development led by former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.  The report begins as follows:

 

In the middle of the 20^th century, we saw our planet from space for the first time.  Historians may eventually find that this vision had a greater impact on thought than did the Copernican revolution of the 16^th century, which upset the human self-image by revealing that the Earth is not the centre of the universe.  From space, we see a small and fragile ball dominated not by human activity and edifice but by a pattern of clouds, oceans, greenery, and soils.  Humanity’s inability to fit its doings into that pattern is changing planetary systems, fundamentally.  Many such changes are accompanied by life-threatening hazards.  This new reality, from which there is not escape, must be recognized—and managed.

 

Fortunately, this new reality coincides with more positive developments new to this century.  We can move information and goods faster around the globe than ever before; we can produce more food and more goods with less investment and resources; our technology and science gives us at least the potential to look deeper into and better understand natural systems.  From space, we can see and study the Earth as an organism whose health depends on the health of all its parts.  We have the power to reconcile human affairs with natural laws and to thrive in the process.  In this our cultural and spiritual heritages can reinforce our economic interests and survival imperatives.

 

It is insightful that, even in 1987, world leaders recognized that not only would space technology help us understand the Earth, but that it could also be a unique tool to better manage our planet for social benefit and economic interests.

 

But, it is disappointing that despite this powerful text published 20 years ago, we are gathered here today for a hearing examining the decline in U.S. space-based Earth observing capabilities.

 

Since that time, our U.S. systems have focused primarily on answering scientific questions, with applications of this data and information as a secondary objective.  And, although we have seen significant growth and impact of operational programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), science requirements are still what drive the development of our space-based systems.

 

The fact that the Decadal Survey Committee’s vision for an Earth observations decadal program went beyond fundamental science to consider “increased applications to serve the nation and people of the world” is a significant step and much-needed shift in approach to the U.S. program.

 

We must recognize that the technologies that we are discussing today are the same technologies that:

 

Just last week, we again witnessed the benefit of Earth observation satellite technology to our nation:

 

The benefits of space-based data will not end this week or next.  In fact, the need for this type of information and the responsibility of the United States as a world leader to maintain and share this important capability will only increase with the stress of climate change.

 

In a January 12, 2007, speech to the World Affairs Council, Lord Levene, Chairman of Lloyd’s, provided a global insurer’s perspective on catastrophe trends and climate change.  He stated, “We cannot risk being in denial on catastrophe trends.  We can expect to see US mega-catastrophes with 100 billion dollars insured losses soon.  We urgently need a radical rethink of public policy, and to build the facts into our future planning.”  He added,  “The insurance industry will continue to play a vital role as enabler and rebuilder of the U.S. economy.”  U.S. satellite assets and the products provided as a result of space-based observations are critical to ensuring that insurance and other sectors have accurate and timely information.

 

Not only should the United States strive to answer key scientific questions, but it should respond to the needs of a broad, non-scientific user community, which relies increasingly upon operational missions by NOAA.  By this I mean how can we ensure that our national research program and technologies are meeting the needs of policy makers, state and local water managers, energy executives, and emerging areas such as the carbon finance market?  This will involve additional study and possible correction of our current research-to-operations processes based on new engagement with the diverse and emerging user communities to provide more input to our national planning for new systems.  

 

 

Former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, who testified to the Senate Commerce Committee in April 2006 on drought and the need for integrated information, also wrote in November 2006 to the Office of Management and Budget to express the need to fund IEOS, the U.S. contribution to the multinational Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).  He wrote:

 

Sir Francis Bacon coined the phrase “Knowledge is power.”  Today it’s not about power but about empowerment as our country faces many challenges.  More than ever we need better data-driven decisions.  The first essential part is observation, the gathering of data.  But we need more than data.  Accurate and timely observations become information that leads to knowledge that enables decisions.   We must reduce uncertainty to enable better risk management for businesses as well as protect citizens and save lives and property.  

In the December 2006-January 2007 issue of Environmental Finance Magazine, Vijay Gudivaka reported that “Companies are working overtime to get a better understanding of their environmental impacts.”   The article discusses the need for more effective environmental data management and how companies are being challenged to develop databases to better assess environmental, health, and safety information.  Gudivaka writes, “Whatever system is being used to collect and distribute environmental information needs to keep meeting the requirements of the business—or it has to change.”

 

Without an established information infrastructure that builds upon our space-based Earth observation programs, we face many questions currently:  Are our current systems meeting the needs of our businesses?  Are our current systems protecting our citizens and property?...maintaining U.S. competitiveness?...ensuring that public and private sector decision makers, have, and will in the future have the information they need to respond to challenges like climate change?  The Decadal Survey highlights the need to do more.  My work with numerous business, academic, and non-government leaders also reveals that our systems must be improved to meet the requirements of business.

 

Warren Isom, Senior Vice President, Willis Re Inc., and Board Member of the Weather Risk Management Association remarked at the Forum on Earth Observations last year, “The weather risk market–in fact the risk-management business in general - has a profoundly strong interest in serious, systematic attempts to improve, expand and intensify the capture of data relating to our planet.” 

 

The current U.S. system must change to combine and integrate the valuable and extensive information sources and tools across all Federal agencies.  This would create the IEOS, new interoperable systems that enable an unprecedented picture of our world, with a better understanding of intended benefits.

The Alliance for Earth Observations believes that by embarking on the development of IEOS that the United States will:

 

 

IEOS will leverage Earth science and technology for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the world.  In the area of climate change, IEOS would provide accurate and timely observations as the foundation for guiding U.S. climate change policy, ensuring our nation is moving in the right direction and providing the basis for knowing whether our policies are making the intended positive impacts we expect.   The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which is a key component of IEOS, would provide a proactive solution for U.S. citizens, delivering the “business intelligence” needed to manage the risk of drought.    Regarding energy security, observations are critical to both the supply and demand sides of energy.  On the supply side, all sources of alternative and renewable energy are highly dependent on environmental data. These energy resources include hydropower, wind, ocean energy (tide, current, wave), biofuels, photovoltaics, and geothermal sources.   On the demand side, environmental conditions largely determine the overall demand for power as well as the variability in demand.   By funding the IEOS, the United States would provide a new level of service to the American people to prevent, mitigate or manage the effects of natural hazards through linked and interactive systems that provide the United States and the world with greater forecasting capability.  Even in the area of public health, IEOS would lead to:

 

·        Improved air quality forecasting;

·        Improved and earlier recognition of harmful algal blooms;

·        Earlier recognition of the need for beach closures; and

·        A national water quality monitoring system that, for the first time, would integrate disparate water quality systems into one comprehensive system—a major step forward for the United States.

 

IEOS benefits can only be achieved through a common U.S. integrated information architecture.  The benefits discussed in the previous paragraphs all depend on the development of a common observation and information system architecture for Earth observations.  This architecture would facilitate information sharing between and among agencies as well as promulgate standards for terminology, data discovery, data access and transport, and service interfaces.  This approach would enable our investment in environmental data, products and services to be leveraged by many communities of interest, generating value to both citizens and the economy through improved decision making and incubation of a value-added market for environmental products and services. A robust and scalable architecture for an environmental enterprise would:

 

·        Leverage Federally funded activities in other data-rich domains;

·        Enable communities of interest to easily and transparently access a variety of thematically diverse and geographically dispersed assets; and 

·        Enable any group or organization to easily connect their assets into the enterprise in an interoperable fashion without significant investment in information systems. 

 

IEOS would also advance the Global Earth Observation System of System (GEOSS), which is now supported by more than 66 countries and 46 international organizations.  This U.S.-initiated effort is intended to allow Federal interagency and multi-national coordination to assure that disparate environmental-related data systems here at home and abroad are interoperable and compatible.  An effective IEOS effort should have clear designation of responsibilities, be enabled by a web-based system that allows rapid communication, funded across agency boundaries with a clear purpose.  IEOS/GEOSS would improve the capabilities for today’s decision makers by providing new information products.  That is not the case today.  IEOS has neither been funded nor has program leadership been designated.  

 

 

Clear leadership is essential to resolve the issues and attain the goals identified in the Decadal Study.  The report before you calls for increased funding to improve our current national Earth monitoring capability.  Yes, funding is important but the essential missing element is leadership.  Scientific assessment, increased budgets, improved technical capabilities, and coordinated public-private engagement need designated, consolidated leadership.  Critical elements including satellite and aircraft sensors, in situ instruments such as stream gauges, and geospatial information systems, have been fragmented among our Federal agencies, always a secondary mission, never the priority responsibility. 

 

Earth observation is not a priority mission for any designated agency at the cabinet level.  Not within NASA, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior nor any other Federal agency.  The important technologies that enable us to measure climate change and identify and monitor the impacts to our environment, our lives and our livelihood are the sole responsibility of no one agency or person.

 

Who should be the lead agency or position for U.S. Earth observation capabilities?  What is our national vision for Earth observations?   How are requirements from the Federal operational sector such as NOAA, USGS, USDA and EPA reflected in our research and development programs within NASA and NSF?  Are requirements from the private sector being addressed? 

 

Without a designated lead, we will not see:

 

 

As a first step, I support the report’s recommendation that:

 

The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with the relevant agencies, and in consultation with the scientific community, should develop and implement a plan for achieving and sustaining global Earth observations.  Then a single point of contact or program office at the Cabinet level should be established to assure complementary rather than duplicative or fragmented effort for all operational aspects of earth observation and analysis.

 

I urge that the private sector—industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations—be consulted regarding an integrated plan for Earth observations.

 

As we are often reminded, time passes quickly.

 

In preparation for this hearing, I reviewed numerous reports, one of which is noted earlier in this testimony and is entitled, Linking Remote Sensing Technology and Global Needs:  A Strategic Vision.  It was a report to NASA on applications.  Ironically, the vision outlined in this 1987 report was as follows:

 

The vision for the future is an Applications Information System available to all users—whether a large government agency or small local firm—that will provide overall benefits for the public good and further economic interests of the United States.  

 

What we knew 20 years ago, what the Brundtland Commission acknowledged in their groundbreaking report, and what we are reminded of today is that our nationally-funded Earth science and operational technology programs are vital to our society and economy.  If nothing else, I hope that the Decadal Survey will motivate you as policy makers and leaders to take action now—action to protect, leverage, and advance these assets so critical to protecting our nation, the world, and our future.   Let us not 20 years from now simply acknowledge the words written by the Decadal Survey Committee, but rather be able to point to the Decadal Survey as a turning point for action and commitment to protect, further develop, and exploit these assets for benefit of the nation and the world.

 

 

Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. (AER)

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.*

The Boeing Company*

Booz, Allen, Hamilton*

Caris

Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS), University of Miami

CIESIN at Columbia University

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)

EADS Space

ESRI*

Global Science & Technology, Inc. (GST)

Harris*

Lockheed Martin*

Mitretek Systems

NatureServe

L3 Communications – Maripro, Inc.

Northrop Grumman*

Raytheon*

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)*

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Southeastern University Research Association (SURA)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

*Executive Committee Members

 

The Alliance was formed in 2004 to facilitate participation by the private sector—industry, Academia, and nongovernmental organizations—in U.S. and international planning for Earth observations, especially as it relates to GEOSS.   The Alliance for Earth Observations is an initiative of the nonprofit Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

 

 

 

The Alliance for Earth Observations commends the work started by the National Research Council Space Studies Board Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space in its recently released report:  Earth Science and Applications from Space:  National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond.  This important report sheds light on the declining Earth observation capabilities of the United States and lays out priorities for the next decade for Earth observations from space. This report offers the foundation of a roadmap to bring the U.S. Earth Observation capability in line with expectations for meeting the global change and climate policy challenges we see so frequently in the headlines. Science information is needed to inform policy, and the “Earth Science Decadal Survey” as this report is called, points us in the direction we need to advance our national capability into the 21^st Century.

 

The members of the Alliance recognize the immense value to society – both in terms of economic benefits to our citizens and in meeting our responsibilities as stewards of our environment – of U.S. programs in space-based Earth observations.  The Committee, capably led by Dr. Richard A. Anthes, President of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and Dr. Berrien Moore, III, Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, was comprised of an outstanding team of subject matter experts.  In their report, they have provided a very valuable prioritization of scientific questions that need to be addressed along with recommendations for the space-based missions that should be developed and launched to provide the data needed to address important societal issues -- in the near, mid, and far term.

 

The Alliance recognizes the challenge in the current budget climate of augmenting funding for multiple agencies charged with executing the nation’s operational and research Earth observations programs.  In the recently released President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, funding for satellite programs at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey would not accommodate the recommendations of the report.  The President’s Budget, if enacted in FY-08, would enable NOAA to proceed with current acquisition plans for both the polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite programs, with their now-reduced instrument suites, and NASA to maintain momentum only on their current set of missions.  The Alliance recognizes the importance of increasing U.S. government funding to accomplish the recommendations in the report to advance our national Earth satellite programs.  Funding would need to be implemented as top line budget increases, in order to not affect other important agency priorities.

 

The Alliance agrees with the Decadal Survey and its predecessor reports from the National Academy of Sciences that current NOAA, NASA, and USGS budgets and programs do not include the programmatic structure needed to manage the research, development, and flight testing of new instrument technologies, and subsequent transition to operational missions, necessary to continue to evolve U.S. operational Earth observation capacity.  Thorough technology demonstrations could have provided the risk mitigation needed to curtail decisions to cancel critically needed climate monitoring, ocean imaging, and advanced atmospheric sounding instruments from the NPOESS and GOES-R programs.   Future plans and decisions can benefit from the report’s recommendations to invest in developing next generation technologies and systems to reduce cost and schedule risks to operational programs.   Implementation of the report’s recommendation would be timely in addressing this longstanding problem.

 

The Alliance for Earth Observations is a publicly and privately funded initiative of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies to promote the understanding and use of land, air and sea observations for societal and economic benefit.