image in print
to larger scales, and the assessment of sub-continental-scale flux variability.
The TCO design must support a range of observation and modelling requirements
and must be developed with the involvement of the observation
and modelling specialists as well as representative from the policymaking
community.
A programme of work has been established to launch TCO. Its success
will depend on close collaboration and a shared sense of priority among
the key partners - the observing systems, the international scientific
community, UN organizations and the space agencies.
Additional information about the terrestrial carbon observations initiative
can be found in the second issue of the IGOS bulletin. The TCO prospectus
can
be obtained from the GTOS Secretariat (gtos@fao.org).
(continued from Page 1.)
Report from the 13th CEOS Plenaryand 4th IGOS Partnership Meetings
Reports were given to Plenary of the many outreach activities during the year, including participation in UNISPACE III and presentations to COP 5. Through these type of activities the potential of CEOS, and of IGOS, is becoming more widely known, and it was agreed to continue these outreach activities in 2000. The Chairman thanked all the parties who had worked to support these activities, particularly FAO, NASA, ISRO, WMO and GCOS. The CEOS Plenary and IGOS Partnership meeting both thanked their Japanese colleagues for the production of the Newsletter and the IGOS brochure, as well as CNES of France for the IGOS bulletin.
The reports of the CEOS Working Groups confirmed that they remain a
strength of CEOS, and Members were urged by the Chairman to take account
of the WG activities and where appropriate give more support to their
work. Two new ad hoc working groups were established for the year 2000:
one on Disaster Management Support (chaired by NOAA), intended to maintain
the CEOS effort in this field, and the other on Education and Training
in Developing Countries (chaired by ISRO).
The Chairman reported on contacts with the Earth Observation private sector. A major conclusion was that the private sector do not see the need to join CEOS, but they would welcome a regular annual meeting information and opinions can be exchanged. The next meeting will be organised in conjunction with the IAF in Brazil in October, 2000.
Not quite all was work : participants were also given the honour of
a reception in Stockholm's magnificent Town Hall, and a dinner was arranged
in the Vasa Museum, in the shadows of the salvaged man o'war, and to the
strains of Swedish folk music. When the Resolutions had been formally agreed
and the remaining items of business settled, the chairmanship of CEOS was
transferred to the Brazilian Institute for Space Research - INPE. The Director,
Mr. Marcio Barbosa, had been unable to be in Stockholm, but his representatives
confirmed INPE dedication to their duties in 2000 and welcomed participants
to the 14th CEOS Plenary in Brazil in November, 2000.