Top 8 Earth Observation Events in 2008 is a list of, in my educated opinion, the most important happenings in the field of Earth Observation that will take place this year.

When you build a house you want to place it on a secure and stable foundation. In the case of Earth observation this foundation is geodesy. In 2008 a number of important events will take place within the field of geodesy that will not only contribute to a better foundation of Earth Observation but increase our knowledge about the system Earth. In addition societal  important areas like climate change, geohazards and the water cycle research and management will benefit from derived and improved geodetic products.

Another essential factor when building a global Earth observation system is our willingness and ability to see the system Earth as a whole.

My top 8 Earth observation events in 2008 list is based on these criteria and a couple of regional considerations. 

Regional perspectives
Earth observation data is scarce in and for Africa, a continent comprised of many developing countries and where several regions are at war. The developing world would benefit the most from improved Earth observation as well as from the necessary cross boarder cooperation.

Due to its massive and highly elevated mountain ranges, many glaciers and frozen tundras, the Himalayas is sometimes called the planets third pole. A large part of the Himalayas lies within the national boundaries of China, leaving the country with an enormous responsibility for sustainable management of its resources such as drinking water for around 40% of the worlds population. China faces energy and environmental problems where its Earth observation capabilities will play a major role.

Note: You do not need to believe in lucky numbers to appreciate its cultural relevance. The number 8 is considered a lucky number in China. By choosing the number 8 I underline how important I think China is for our future global Earth observation capacity; particularly in the year 2008.

1 Global Geodetic Observing System: Releases Strategy Documents 2008

In 2007 The Global Geodetic Observing System community started the process of writing a strategy document, that will guide the implementation of GGOS over the next years. The title for the process is The Global Geodetic Observing System: Meeting the requirements of a global society on a changing planet in 2020, denoted shortly as GGOS 2020. This process will result in a brief Strategy Document aiming at the broader public, including decision makers, funding agencies, and the relevant international programs, and a comprehensive Reference Document with the main audience being those implementing and operating GGOS. The final drafts are ready and in 2008 we expect these important Earth Observation documents to provide the basis for the contruction of a continuous, accurate and stable foundation of a global Earth Observation System of Systems.

(Key word: foundation)

2 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - ISPRS: The XXI Congress, July 2008, Beijing, China

The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing was founded in Vienna, Austria in 1910 and is a non-governmental international organization, devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of knowledge, research, development, education and training in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, their integration and applications, to contribute to the well-being of humanity and the sustainability of the environment.

China's population is more than 4.4 times as large as the current largest economy in the world, the US. Even if only a small fraction of this country continue to develop along the lines we have observed so far (read China's high-speed development to get an idea of what is going on right now) it will influence global Earth Observation. 

China is preparing for the ISPRS XXI Congress with great dedication; collecting data from the remote north west (Himalayas included), improving their remote sensing capacities and perhaps the most important stating that they are prepared to share with the rest of the world . Let us hope China intend to live up that also after the ISPRS Congress and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

"The Chinese government consistently encourages scientists to take part in and make contributions to the activities of international academic organizations including ISPRS, and to share the achievements and experiences with their international colleagues." says Chinese Minister of Science and Technology XU Guanhua (right)

(Key words: China, data sharing, filling gaps)

3 African Reference Frame - AFREF: First GPS calculations

The African continent with it's 54 countries does not have a unified and continuous reference frame. The AFREF project lead by Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) will establish a unified geodetic reference frame for Africa. It will be the fundamental basis for the national and regional reference networks and fully consistent with the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). ITRF is the global reference frame system for the earth as adopted by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). When fully implemented, AFREF will consist of a network of continuous permanent GPS stations such that a user anywhere in Africa would have free access to GPS data and products. Its full implementation will include a unified vertical datum and support for efforts to establish a precise African Geoid. AFREF will be equivalent of EUREF in Europe and SIRGAS in Americas. 

Reference Station Network to guarantee Peace and Development
In March 2007, the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) established the first permanent reference station in Kenya as part of the AFREF project. “As we move toward more regional integration and adopt regional approaches to peace and security, environmental management, trade and industry, we require maps that are accurate- both within each country and also across national boundaries. This will now be possible through the establishment of a common geodetic reference frame”, stated Prof. Kivutha Kibawana, Minister of Lands in Kenya, during the opening ceremony.

Since then more GPS stations are established and in November 2007 AFREF was ready to start calculations of Africas first regional reference frame. The resulting reference frame together with the continued expansion of the Reference Station Network will be revolutionary input to both regional and global Earth observation in 2008. 

4 ESA Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer - GOCE: Launching spring 2008

The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) is dedicated to measuring the Earth’s gravity field and modelling the geoid with extremely high accuracy and spatial resolution.

 
Artist impression of European Space Agency satellite GOCE 

A precise model of the Earth’s geoid is crucial for deriving accurate measurements of ocean circulation, sea-level change and terrestrial ice dynamics – all of which are affected by climate change. The geoid is also used as a reference surface from which to map all topographical features on the planet. More information about the geoid can be found in 10 reasons why Al Gore needs the geoid .

GOCE will not only contribute to a better foundation for Earth observation but increase our knowledge of oceanography and  solid earth physics. 

According to European Space Agency plans, GOCE will be launched spring 2008. GOCE will improve the static geoid but we also expect the results will improve the data from GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment), the satellites that provide us with the temporal geoid. 

The geoid is fundamental for determining a geodetic vertical reference and crucial for climate change research.

(Keywords: Geoid, reference frame, space)

5 Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level - PSMSL: 75 Years Anniversary

The PSMSL was established in 1933, and is the global data bank for long term sea level change information from tide gauges. The PSMSL collect data from several hundred gauges situated all over the globe.

2008 is the 75 Year Anniversary of PSMSL and they will arrange special events during the year. During the yearly European GeoSciences Union assembly in Vienna in April 2008, a special session, Observations and Causes of Sea Level Change, will be organized together with the World Climate Reseach Program. Scientists will provide new insight into the space and time scales of sea level rise and variability and into the reasons for sea level change.

Another highly profiled event will take place at the European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool in September. PSMSL will be a part of British Association for the Advancement of Science, Festival of Science in Liverpool.

PSMSL is the in-situ component of sea level observations that also support the space segment. Satellite provides us with information about the sea-surface and can cover larger areas than the tide gauges. Combined we get a better understanding of the global trends of sea level.  Ocean United - better than football, I describe various methods of gathering sea level data and their integration in ocean observation.

Sea level data is crusial for the foundation of Earth observation and for many other areas of society such as coastal management and climate change. 

(Key words: Sea-level, reference frame, in-situ)

6 UN International Year of Planet Earth: Launching in Paris, France, February 2008

The International Year of Planet Earth aims to ensure greater and more effective use by society of the knowledge accumulated by the world’s 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year’s ultimate goal of helping to build safer, healthier and wealthier societies around the globe is expressed in the Year’s subtitle ‘Earth science for Society’.
The International Year runs from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) having been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the UN Year. The UN sees the Year as a contribution to their sustainable development targets as it promotes wise (sustainable) use of Earth materials and encourages better planning and management to reduce risks for the world’s inhabitants. 

This event is important because it brings all segments involved in Earth observation together, encourages an holistic approach and show our politicians how sustainable management of our Planet is reliant on Earth Sciences. 

7 International Geology Congress: The 33rd Geoscience World Congress, August 2008, Oslo, Norway

The Geoscience World Congress 2008 will span the whole field of Earth Science, binding together classical geology with geophysics, geochemistry and the biogeosciences. A variety of topics will be accommodated, both those of prime concern of the International Union of Geology Science Commissions, the many other scientific bodies that traditionally meet at International Geology Congress and those collaborating in the United Nations' International Year of Planet Earth.

Geoscience World Congress 2008 will promote interaction and integration of the Earth Sciences, taking a holistic approach including the fifty some geosciences pluss more in order to enhance our knowledge about the system Earth. 

I also value the fact that though the congress itself will take place in Oslo, the Nordic countries are once more joining forces and demonstrate what can be achieved with cross boarder cooperation. The program includes visits to all the Nordic countries as well as Russia, Faroe Island and Greenland.

(Key words: Earth system, holistic, symbolic nordic cooperation)

8 Group of Earth Observation - GEO: Implementation of Global Earth Observation System of Systems - GEOSS

GEO was launched in response to calls for action by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and the G8 (Group of Eight) leading industrialized countries. These high-level meetings recognized that international collaboration is essential for exploiting the growing potential of Earth observations to support decision making in an increasingly complex and environmentally stressed world.

GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. 

GEO is constructing GEOSS on the basis of a 10-Year Implementation Plan for the period 2005 to 2015. The Plan defines a vision statement for GEOSS, its purpose and scope, expected benefits, and the nine “Societal Benefit Areas” of disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity.

GEOSS coordinates a multitude of complex and interrelated issues simultaneously. This cross-cutting approach avoids unnecessary duplication, encourages synergies between systems and ensures substantial economic, societal and environmental benefits.

GEO makes it to my list due to its role in integration of the different systems, particularly its foundation: Global Geodetic Observing System. Another important role for GEO is the integration of in-situ and space based observations. We need both, but since space community is better organized and promoted there is a tendacy that the in-situ element (that the space segment rely on) is forgotten. Hopefully GEO will succeed in putting Earth observation high on the political agendas around the world, too.

(Key words: integration, political)