GEO and GEOSS: The Group on Earth Observations and the Global Earth Observations System of Systems

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) was formed in 2002 when the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the G8 recognized that international collaboration on Earth observation was essential. GEO aims to improve policy decisions by coordinating strategies among participating voluntary governments and international organizations. As of March 2011, GEO was composed of 86 governments and the European Commission, and 61 intergovernmental, international and regional organizations.

Recognizing that the acquisition and dissemination of land, air, sea and space data is of utmost importance, and declaring that, “The world has an urgent need for a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained information system,” GEO developed a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) targeting nine Societal Benefit Areas.

GEO believes that the world needs a coordinated and sustained information system in order for decision-makers, managers and experts to be able to gather data when they need it.

Featured Articles

Colombian Students Shine Spotlight on Societal Benefit Areas

St. George’s School in Bogotá, Colombia logoThe Earth Observation Poster Project at St. George’s School in Bogotá, Colombia, began as an in-depth reading initiative with the idea of having 11th grade students (the final year of high school) read about Earth observation technology and participate in an online videoconference with Earthzine Editor-in-Chief Paul Racette to enhance their reading experience.

Earthzine staff , posted on April 6th, 2012
GEOSS/ICEO News, St. George’s School poster project

New Tool to Help Monitor the Environment

Photo showing a bunch of hands holding up the earth. Photo: Gandee Vasan/Getty ImagesToo much data coming from too many sources that use too many different computer systems can be downright confusing. That’s happening with the numerous programs observing events that affect the Earth’s health. The complex programs—developed by governments and organizations involved in environmental research—capture all sorts of data along with the geographic coordinates of the places where each measurement is made. These coordinates are then used to map the data. This may sound simple enough, but it’s not.

Kathy Kowalenko, posted on March 19th, 2012
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

GEO-VIII Plenary Sets Scene for 2012 and Beyond

Image of GEOSS logoThe GEO-VIII Plenary was hosted in Istanbul by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. A progress report presented there highlights new products and services now available via GEOSS, the growth of data sharing, and increased support for user engagement.

Michael Williams, posted on December 7th, 2011
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

EuroGEOSS Conference in Madrid to Focus on Solutions

The EUROGEOSS2012 conference logo“EuroGEOSS, advancing the vision of GEOSS” is the title of a EuroGEOSS conference in Madrid, Spain, from Jan. 25-27, 2012. The event will focus on facilitating and demonstrating multi-disciplinary solutions to environmental issues facing humanity.

Jeff Kart, posted on November 26th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

EuroGeoss Web Seminar: “The Earth’s Environment, Observations and Benefits”

A EuroGeoss Web Seminar on “The Earth’s Environment, Observations and Benefits” will focus on the benefits of improved decision-making on local and global scales. The event will last about an hour, with time for questions at the end. It will be presented by Steffen Fritz, Sabine Fuss and Ian McCallum.

Jay Pearlman, posted on September 10th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

European Commission to Host July Workshop on Socio-Economic Benefits of GEO-GEOSS

GEO logoA workshop on the socio-economic benefits of GEO-GEOSS is planned for July 11-13 at the Joint Research Center in Ispra, Italy. The purpose of the workshop is to identify a program of activities to undertake during 2011-14 to support the GEO 10-year implementation plan\ and an assessment of benefits that can be achieved.

Lisa Rudy, posted on June 13th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

GEO and GEOSS Links


Voice of GEO Leadership

Space-bound in South Africa: A Down-to-Earth Conversation With Dr. Phil Mjwara

Closeup of Dr. Phil MjwaraA month after South Africa succesfully launched it's second Earth observation satellite, Sumbandila, Earthzine contributor Peter Fairley talks with Dr. Philemon Mjwara, Director General of South Africa's Department of Science and Technology, about the launch, the benefits South Africa expects to reap from the satellite, and what's in store for the future of developing countries' involvement in Earth observation and sustainability.

Peter Fairley, posted on January 11th, 2010
Articles, Earth Observation, People, Technology

The Globally-Aware Island: An Earthzine Conversation With Japan’s Shin Aoyama

Cropped image of Deputy Director-General of Japan’s MEXT, Mr. AoyamaEarthzine speaks with Japan’s Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Mr. Aoyama, who represents Japan within GEO.

Peter Fairley, posted on July 15th, 2008
Earth Observation, Featured Person, GEOSS/ICEO News, People

The GEO Challenge: An Earthzine Conversation With GEO Secretariat Director José Achache

Image of Jose AchacheFrench 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
Articles, Earth Observation, Featured Person, GEOSS/ICEO News, People, Technology

GEOSS Reaching Beyond the Core

Rob AdamsFollowing 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.

Peter Fairley, posted on November 18th, 2007
Articles, GEOSS/ICEO News, People

An Architect of “The System of Systems”

Conrad LautenbacherThe 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.

John Adam, posted on October 24th, 2007
In This Issue, People

Colombian Students Shine Spotlight on Societal Benefit Areas

St. George’s School in Bogotá, Colombia logoThe Earth Observation Poster Project at St. George’s School in Bogotá, Colombia, began as an in-depth reading initiative with the idea of having 11th grade students (the final year of high school) read about Earth observation technology and participate in an online videoconference with Earthzine Editor-in-Chief Paul Racette to enhance their reading experience.

Earthzine staff , posted on April 6th, 2012
GEOSS/ICEO News, St. George’s School poster project

New Tool to Help Monitor the Environment

Photo showing a bunch of hands holding up the earth. Photo: Gandee Vasan/Getty ImagesToo much data coming from too many sources that use too many different computer systems can be downright confusing. That’s happening with the numerous programs observing events that affect the Earth’s health. The complex programs—developed by governments and organizations involved in environmental research—capture all sorts of data along with the geographic coordinates of the places where each measurement is made. These coordinates are then used to map the data. This may sound simple enough, but it’s not.

Kathy Kowalenko, posted on March 19th, 2012
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

GEO-VIII Plenary Sets Scene for 2012 and Beyond

Image of GEOSS logoThe GEO-VIII Plenary was hosted in Istanbul by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. A progress report presented there highlights new products and services now available via GEOSS, the growth of data sharing, and increased support for user engagement.

Michael Williams, posted on December 7th, 2011
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

EuroGEOSS Conference in Madrid to Focus on Solutions

The EUROGEOSS2012 conference logo“EuroGEOSS, advancing the vision of GEOSS” is the title of a EuroGEOSS conference in Madrid, Spain, from Jan. 25-27, 2012. The event will focus on facilitating and demonstrating multi-disciplinary solutions to environmental issues facing humanity.

Jeff Kart, posted on November 26th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

EuroGeoss Web Seminar: “The Earth’s Environment, Observations and Benefits”

A EuroGeoss Web Seminar on “The Earth’s Environment, Observations and Benefits” will focus on the benefits of improved decision-making on local and global scales. The event will last about an hour, with time for questions at the end. It will be presented by Steffen Fritz, Sabine Fuss and Ian McCallum.

Jay Pearlman, posted on September 10th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

European Commission to Host July Workshop on Socio-Economic Benefits of GEO-GEOSS

GEO logoA workshop on the socio-economic benefits of GEO-GEOSS is planned for July 11-13 at the Joint Research Center in Ispra, Italy. The purpose of the workshop is to identify a program of activities to undertake during 2011-14 to support the GEO 10-year implementation plan\ and an assessment of benefits that can be achieved.

Lisa Rudy, posted on June 13th, 2011
Announcements, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

Putting Earth Observation Data to Work: The EuroGEOSS Broker (Max Craglia interview)

image of max craigliaThe first step in making sense of the processes and events that impact the Earth is to observe and analyze them. The next step is to share those observations and analyses with your peers in the context of a shared infrastructure. Today, however, there are dozens of such shared infrastructures, each with its own set of policies, terms and protocols. How can all this information be shared?

Lisa Rudy, posted on June 4th, 2011
Earth Observation, Featured Person, GEOSS/ICEO News, People

GEOSS in the Americas Leverages International Resources for Action

Image of GEOSS in Americas logoWhat can satellite-based Earth Observation do for the Americas? The possibilities are endless. From mitigating disaster outcomes in earthquake-prone states like Haiti to managing agriculture in Brazil to observing algal blooms off the coast of Mexico, GEOSS Americas is already having a major positive impact.

Lisa Rudy, posted on May 27th, 2011
Earth Observation, Earthly Updates, GEOSS/ICEO News

Standards Enable Open Geoscience Opportunities

Cropped image of sequence of research cycle diagrams In his last essay of a three-part series about the role of the Internet in “opening up” the geosciences, Lance Mckee examines the opportunities for geoscience stakeholders to forge the evolution of science through Internet-based geoprocessing standards and information technology.

Lance McKee, posted on March 30th, 2011
Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Technology

GEO Monitors, Analyzes, and Distributes Data on the Japan Disaster

Satellite imagery of the Japanese earthquakeInternational Earth observation agencies are cooperating in the creation of online resources to aid rescue efforts and advance scientific understanding in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Available visualization products relate to a range of issues, including historic and present seismic activity, landslides, deformation areas, floating objects and more.

Michael Williams, posted on March 23rd, 2011
Disaster Management, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News

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