Harnessing Space for Earth
- Paper number
IAC-21,B1,IP,1,x62607
- Author
Ms. Lori Garver, United States
- Year
2021
- Abstract
Space-based Earth Observations have transformed our knowledge of the planet over the past 60 years.A renaissance in satellite and sensor technology, space transportation, computer modeling and data storagehas opened up new opportunities in space-based research and applications. In the United States, decadesof investment in aligned programs at NASA, NOAA and USGS, along with policies that incentivize privatesector investments allow us to observe our planet comprehensively and contribute to our economy, nationalsecurity, personal health and safety.This paper will propose U.S. government policies that would build upon existing capabilities to max-imize humanitarian and societal benefits from Earth Observation data related to the climate crisis. Wewill recommend key elements of U.S. climate science policy related to Earth Observation data gatheringand sharing mechanisms including:Data infrastructure for meaningful access to climate data The U.S. Federal government has collecteddata sets that are critical to address global climate change. And yet the full scope and scale of thesedata are not available to scientists, developers, and even state and local governments — the groups thatconvert the data into actionable information. A significant, unknown segment of these data assets remaininaccessible/stranded assets because they sit idle on Agency servers without meaningful digital accessinfrastructure, or they remain needlessly classified. This paper will review relevant programs to makescientific data more accessible, including api.data.gov and the discontinued MEDEA program.Climate Data Information Partnership In 2015, a GAO Report on Climate Information found “theclimate information needs of federal, state, local, and private sector decision makers are not being fullymet” and called for the creation of “a national climate information system with defined roles for federalagencies and non-federal entities with existing statutory authority.” In 2017, as the U.S. federal governmentabdicated its role and formally questioned the threat of global climate change, cities and states beganto organize and take action to address the challenges they faced within their own jurisdictions. Thispaper will outline how the U.S. federal government could step-up to this coordination role, building uponthe networks already in place and recommend potential structural options for a national climate datainformation partnership.Climate Corp Establishment of a Climate Corp – based on the Peace Corp model to prepare, embedand coordinate trained scientists and engineers within Congressional districts and potentially around theworld to address local needs by translating data for evidence-based decision-making.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)