It all hinges on the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, a concept that Environmental Protection Administrator Mike Leavitt and representatives from 11 U.S. agencies and 48 other nations hope to make a reality by developing a large-scale, international network to share global monitoring information.
The system would rely on satellite and ground-based information that could "take the pulse of our Earth," said Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It could revolutionize scientists' understanding of global systems, aiding the ability to predict floods, drought, disease, pestilence, and global warming.
“The benefits of this technology are limited only by our imagination,” Leavitt said Tuesday. “I would suggest this is the new frontier of human productivity.”
Much of the information already is being collected, but is kept in scattered databases. Weather patterns, for example, are monitored by a handful of satellites to assemble forecasts. Air quality is checked by hundreds of monitors across the country. Stream and river flows and lake levels are checked periodically.
The objective is to fill gaps in coverage in remote areas of the globe and to connect the different pieces, reaching across government entities and national borders.
Leavitt represented the U.S. delegation at an international conference in April to begin work on making the system a reality. A panel is in the process of drafting a 10-year plan due by the next summit, scheduled in February.
President Bush requested $100 million over two years to begin implementing the program. The funding will supplement the data-gathering budgets already in place in NASA, NOAA, the EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey and others.
As Utah governor, Leavitt was keen on grand applications of technology, but his bold vision often greatly exceeded the actual application. In this case, Leavitt said nations will be eager to be part of the information-sharing network because of the economic benefits that can be reaped.
“We can do so much more if we can get to this next level of technology,” said Lautenbacher.
It could reduce U.S. energy costs by $1 billion a year by providing accurate forecasts and adjusting electric production accordingly. Farmers could maximize their crop production based on anticipated precipitation.
More notice could be given of potential tornadoes or hurricanes.
Water managers could plan for droughts months in advance.
Our calling, Leavitt said, “is to make important public policy decisions that will be informed by the best possible information.”
