People

An Earthzine Conversation With Michael H. Freilich

“It’s almost a golden age of Earth observation because these many missions which are flying at the same time are all measuring different aspects of the system at the same time, and most with global extent. This is giving us, for the first time, the fodder for assembling an integrated view of the Earth.”

Peter Fairley, posted on May 29th, 2008
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The GEO Challenge: An Earthzine Conversation With GEO Secretariat Director José Achache

French geophysicist and GEO Secretariat Director Jose Achache discusses not only the vision, progress and achievements of GEO but also the challenges relating to resources and industry’s role in GEOSS with Earthzine contributor Peter Fairley.

Peter Fairley, posted on April 15th, 2008
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Straight Talk on Climate Communication and Earth Observation: A conversation with Dr. Jerry Mahlman

An expert on the behavior of the upper atmosphere, Mahlman led the development of one of the first global climate models, for which he received the American Geophysical Union’s Carl-Gustav Rossby Medal, its highest honor. Mahlman chaired the Earth System Science and Applications Advisory Committee for NASA’s Mission to Planet Earth program in the 1990s and was involved in the founding of the IPCC; He created the so-called betting odds scheme used by IPCC to evaluate uncertainty and was a reviewer of the Working Group I report for IPCC’s 2007 assessment.

Peter Fairley, posted on January 21st, 2008
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GEOSS Reaching Beyond the Core

Democratizing Earth observing: A conversation with GEO pioneer Rob Adam

Following the creation of the ad hoc intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations in Washington in 2003, South Africa’s Rob Adam was selected as one of GEO’s four co-chairs, alongside colleagues from the U.S., Japan and the European Commission. At the time, Dr. Adam was directing the rebirth of South African science and engineering as Director General of the government’s Department of Science and Technology. Adam quickly swung into action to advance GEO’s goal to build the Global Earth Observation System of Systems or GEOSS, working in particular to double developing country membership in GEO and pushing for investment in their capacity to participate in Earth data collection and application.

Peter Fairley, posted on November 18th, 2007
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Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa: An Earthzine Personal Profile

The business of standards within the developing GEOSS community requires the commitment, expertise, and networking capabilities of a host of individuals. Foremost among these is Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), in Boulder, Colorado. Since receiving his B.A. in Physics from the University of California, Irvine, and his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle, Khalsa has been a major contributor to a variety of data programs. His activity in leading the IEEE effort in standards and interoperability for GEOSS is a natural extension of his work in these programs, albeit on a global scale.

Al Gasiewski, posted on October 29th, 2007
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An Architect of “The System of Systems”

The hat collection overtaking his corner office two blocks from the White House says much of Conrad Lautenbacher’s interests. The caps are mementos of a decorated 40-year Navy career and also from his current job, where part of it is running oceanographic and fisheries vessels, including underwater robots.
He is chief of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, overseeing a $4 billion annual operation of satellites, ships, and in situ sensors on balloons and buoys that, analyzed in its national centers, improve prediction of daily weather, seasonal hurricanes, and long-term climate cycles, among other things.

John Adam, posted on October 24th, 2007
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Geoscience and Traditional Knowledge: An Interview with Dr. Daniel Wildcat

Dr. Daniel Wildcat, a Euchee member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, is a faculty member in the School of American Indian Studies at the Haskell Indian Nations University where he has taught since 1986. His doctorate is in public administration and social science and provides basis for his keen interest in the social implications of climate change. Dr. Wildcat is co-founder of the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center at Haskell.

Paul Racette, posted on July 31st, 2007
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