ICSU and GTOS
Paul Cutler, ICSU
GTOS SC, 30 Nov-2 Dec 2009
Acknowledgement: G. Glaser, D. Chen
What does ICSU expect
from GTOS?
To re-focus and step up its efforts to
develop the global terrestrial observing
system needed for:
•enhanced research, modelling, and prediction (e.g.,
through the Global Environmental Change
Programmes)
•assessments (e.g., IPCC, IPBES [Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services])
•policies to mitigate global environmental change
(UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, etc), and
•action to adapt to ongoing global environmental
change.
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Earth system research
visioning process – 3 steps
Goal: to engage the scientific community to explore options
and to propose implementation steps for a holistic strategy on
the Earth system research. This strategy will both encourage
scientific innovation and address policy needs.
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Research Priorities Meeting
Paris, 30/09/09 to 01/10/09
•MEETING OUTCOME
•~Five Challenges for Earth System
Research, including:
•Develop the observation systems needed to
manage Global Change
•Integrated natural and social sciences
research – observation systems to include
georeferenced socio-economic data
(comment period beginning in December)
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International Polar Year
(IPY) observing legacy
•Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) with
an Integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System
(iAOOS)
•Pan-Antarctic Observing System (PAntOS) with a
Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS)
•The Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)
•Polar Climate Outlook Forum (PCOF)
•Polar Satellites Constellation (PSC)
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World Data System
-WDC and FAGS legacy
Serve Global Observing Systems
•
•
GTOS...
GEO/GEOSS
Enable Interdisciplinary research (integrating
social and natural sciences)
•
•
•
•
International Polar Year (IPY)
Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR)
Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society
(PECS)
DIVERSITAS
Serve discipline-based research
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ICSU’s voice in support of
GTOS (the need for GTOS has
never been stronger)
ICSU has recently called for strengthening
GTOS (GCOS, GOOS) in the following fora:
•World Climate Conference 3
•UNESCO General Conference
•Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD)
•UNEP Governing Council
•GEO Plenary
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To get there…
•Strategic Plan
•MoU
•Clearly defined SC role
•Strengthened Secretariat
•GEO/GEOSS – GTOS relations
•ICSU role (to be examined by ICSU)
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