The Full Picture

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identifying short-term actions are being initiated. The objective of

the network is a future where EO data are used more effectively than

today with minimal interdisciplinary and organizational or political

barriers to the exchange of data, information and knowledge. The

network’s guiding principles are designated as integrated monitor-

ing, assessment, prediction and network.

Integrated monitoring indicates Earth observations of the physi-

cal, chemical, and biological environment. This includes the

observation of current conditions (e.g. sea level, soil moisture, radi-

ation, fauna and flora), the detection of trends (e.g. climate, seismicity,

pollution levels) and the evaluation of risks (e.g. statistical analysis,

extreme events). Assessment includes characterizing and drawing

conclusions about a given situation, for example forest inventory,

evaluation of mineral deposits, groundwater quantity and quality,

impacts of change scenarios.

Prediction indicates the use of any technique or model to structure,

integrate and extract information from the available data, and to

derive value-added information about the past, current or future

states. These models can be used in either predictive or scenario-

based modes. They include, for example, atmospheric models for

weather, climate and air quality applications, predictive geo-hazard

warnings, reverse-trajectories of aquatic and atmospheric pollution,

crop yield estimation, and ecosystem models for natural habitat

management and impact assessments. The network includes a coor-

dinated, distributed and connected ensemble of subsystems, which

is the responsibility of many different players all working collabo-

ratively toward a common goal.

This clearly categorized approach will help provide a mechanism

for effective coordination between federal departments, as well as

between various levels of government. In addition it will help define

priority actions for short-term successes.

International context

CGEO is contributing to GEO by co-chairing the GEO User

Interface Committee and the EOS-IV Task Force 2 Report on

Progress document, as well as participating on numerous other GEO

committees. There is a high level of participation on many GEO

2007/2008 workplan tasks. Also, CGEO is working

with the United States on US-Canada cooperation on

trans-border EO interests such as air quality, water secu-

rity and Arctic land cover change.

CGEO is actively promoting the worldwide effort to

invest in the ten-year implementation plan for the

GEOSS, which is a comprehensive, coordinated and

sustained system of Earth observation systems to better

monitor the Earth. GEOSS has the potential to help

Canada in its compliance with multilateral environ-

mental agreements, such as the Convention on

Biological Diversity, the Montreal Protocol and the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change. Further, GEOSS will be instrumental in helping

Canada achieve a number of its foreign policy goals

including the economic development of emerging

economies and promoting human security.

Conclusion

Canada’s large and multifaceted physical geography

requires reliable and sustained earth observations in

order to ensure the health, safety and prosperity of

Canadians, while also protecting Canada’s natural envi-

ronment. Canada is thus a strong supporter and

contributor to GEO and GEOSS, which provide an

important context and stimulus to advance coordinated

EO within Canada.

The multi-agency Canadian GEO is demonstrating

its ability to address crosscutting EO issues by under-

taking many activities with the GEO and within

Canada. The Federal Earth Observation Strategy as well

as the Integrated Monitoring, Assessment and

Prediction Network for Canada constitute important

steps in the development of a common vision that

focuses efforts on achieving desired Canadian

outcomes for Canada’s people and Canada’s environ-

ment.

Vision

Coordinated, comprehensive, and

sustained Earth observations

contribute to a healthy, secure and

prosperous Canada

Benefits

Reduce loss of life and properties

Improve quality of life

Improve use and management of

natural resources

Adapt to climate change

Improve water management

Improve weather forecasting

Improve management of ecosystems

Support sustainable agriculture,

forestry, and fisheries

Understand, monitor and conserve

biodiversity

Strengthen sovereignty and security

Goals

The required observations are

acquired through coordinated

networks

Users have timely access to

observations and products

Useful information products are

developed and routinely produced

Data and information products are

widely integrated into decision

making processes

Strategies

Active participation of user communities

Collaborative approach to observation,

analysis and delivery

Optimal investment in Canadian Earth

observations, infrastructure and

capacity

Integration into decision making

processes

Establishment of policy and sustained

funding frameworks

Framework – Federal Earth Observation Strategy

Source: Canadian Group on Earth Observations

ATIONAL

& R

EGIONAL

EPORTS