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in print
Prof. John R.G. Townshend, Univ. of Maryland
Dr. He Changchui, FAO
Mr. Jelle U. Hielkema, FAO
Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, which resulted in Agenda 21, an active process of structured coordination and synergistic convergence concerning of global, regional and national efforts in environmental data collection, analysis and synthesis has increasingly gathered momentum. Independently, a number of substantial cooperative mechanisms were established in response to the Agenda 21 recommendations and requirements for better environmental information at national, regional and global levels.
The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) intends to unite the
major satellite and surface-based systems for global environmental observations
of the atmosphere, oceans and land. It is a strategic planning process,
involving many partners, that links research, long-term monitoring and
operational programmes, as well as data producers and users at technical
and policy-making levels, in a framework that
delivers maximum benefit and effectiveness.
IGOS focuses primarily on the observing dimension of the process of
providing environmental information for decision-making. The strategy covers
all forms of data collection concerning the physical, chemical and biological
environments of the planet, as well as data on the human
environment, on human pressures on the natural envi-ronment, and on
environmental impacts on human well-being.It recognizes that data collection
must be user driven, leading to information products that increase scientific
understanding and guide early warning, policy-setting and decision-making
for sustainable development and environmental protection.
IGOS provides the framework that enables data suppliers to respond to
requirements that have been set by users. It involves processes that determine
deficiencies, identify resources to remedy such deficiencies, and improve
not only the observational programmes but also the various stages through
which space- and ground-based observations are turned into useful information
products. Finally the products
and observations are monitored and analyzed to ensure they are fulfilling
their goals.
The components of IGOS have considerable strategic importance, cutting across all observing activities. Major thrusts of IGOS, as it proceeds, will include: strengthening space-based and in situ linkages to improve the balance between satellite remote sensing and ground- or ocean-based observing programmes; encouraging the transition from research to operational environmental observations within appropriate institutional structures; improving data policies and facilitating data access and exchange; stimulating better archiving of data to build the long-term time series necessary to monitor environmental change; and increasing attention to harmonization, quality assurance and calibration/validation so that data can be used more effectively.
Lines of communication and dialogue are being established with the principal
user groups and institutions to determine the needs for global environmental
information for decision-making, including: international decision-making
bodies such as the UN General Assembly, the Commission on Sustainable Development,
and the conferences of parties to international and regional conventions;
international
organizations, convention secretariats, and international scientific
advisory processes; national governments and their relevant ministries;
decision-makers and senior advisors; the scientific community and international
research programmes; the private sector; non-governmental and public service
organizations; the media, journalists, and others specialized in communications;
the general public, grass-roots users and major groups.
The IGOS Partnership, consisting of CEOS, FAO, ICSU, UNEP, IOC-UNESCO, UNESCO, WMO, IGBP, WCRP, IGFA and the Programme Offices of the three Global Observing Systems, GCOS, GTOS and GOOS, established in 1998, sofar held three meetings in Toulouse, Bangalore and Rome. The 4th meeting will be held in Stockholm in November 1999 in conjunction with the 13th CEOS plenary Meeting. IGOS is presently formulating its activities on the basis of a themes concept, for which in principle nine theme areas, being oceans, global net primary productivity, atmospheric chemistry and climate, weather prediction, coastal zones, disaster management, terrestrial carbon cycle, climate impacts and climate variability and change and the water cycle have been identified.
Under the coordination of FAO, an International Forum on IGOS was organized
by IGOS partners as a special parallel event to the UNISPACE III Conference,
held in Vienna from 19-30 July 1999. The purpose of this International
Forum was to inform national governments, through the UNISPACE III Delegations,
about IGOS concept and the practical implications of the implementation
of an IGOS, as well as to obtain endorsement of the IGOS initiative. The
full day programme drew a large number of attendants from various
participating countries, including those from Africa, Latin America,
Central Europe and Asia and the Pacific. Several keynote speeches and technical
presentations were made, which was followed by a panel discussion on various
technical, organizational and institutional aspects of IGOS, involving
a number of distinguished experts.
The national delegations recognized the importance of IGOS and fully
endorsed the IGOS concept jointly developed by the partners. The major
recommendations of the International Forum on IGOS were duly incorporated
in the final report of the UNISPACE III Conference. In particular, the
Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development, adopted by the UNISPACE
III Conference, also stresses,
inter alia, the significance of IGOS and calls for action to be taken
"to develop and implement the Integrated Global Observing Strategy so as
to enable access to and use of space-based and other Earth observation
data" for protecting the Earth's environment and managing its resources.
The IGOS Forum Statement and results can be found at: http://www.igospartners.org