Transcript The IEEE Committee on Earth Observation Dr. Jay Pearlman, Chair Dr. Tom Wiener, Chair elect November 15, 2007

The IEEE Committee
on Earth Observation
Dr. Jay Pearlman, Chair
Dr. Tom Wiener, Chair elect
November 15, 2007
IEEE Core Ideology
• Core Purpose
– To foster technological innovation and
excellence for the benefit of humanity
• Envisioned Future
– Be essential to the global technical
community and to technical
professionals everywhere and be
universally recognized for the
contributions of technology and of
technical professionals in improving
global conditions
Grand Challenge:
The Environment and Earth Observation
GEOSS -- A Global, Coordinated, Comprehensive Sustained
System of Earth Observing Systems
What is the IEEE Committee on Earth Observation?
(ICEO)
• The ICEO is a TAB Standing Technical Committee with
multiple IEEE with participation of IEEE-SA, TAB, EAB, RAB
that supports the international efforts to create a Global
Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) for applying
Earth observation data and information for societal benefits.
• The system of systems (SoS) requires the broad range of
skills embodied in the IEEE membership from SoS
engineering and communication to standards and
information applications. The IEEE’s critical role in providing
technical expertise for GEOSS has been welcomed by the
international community, and the recent IEEE activities in the
creation of user activities, architecture development,
workshops, outreach are gaining the Institute substantial
international recognition.
ICEO Strategic Goals
I. Expand Global Impacts of IEEE for
Societal Benefits
II. Create Member Challenges and
Opportunities
III. Formulate a Strategy Blueprint through a
documented process with demonstrated
success to move beyond Earth Observation
What are GEO and GEOSS?
•GEO comprises 71 countries,
44 participating organizations
focused on a system that is
Comprehensive, Coordinated
and Sustained
•GEOSS is a distributed data and information
system of systems built on current international
cooperation efforts focused on providing societal
benefits in nine areas.
Our IEEE members have the technical skills, the science and
engineering base, to make a difference in GEOSS –
computers, communications, signal processing
systems/engineering, remote sensing, oceans, power, social
implications, information, standards, and education.
IEEE CEO Vignettes
• Publication of IEEE JSTARS (with GRSS) plus special issues in
existing journals
• A web-based publication (Earthzine.org), with technical articles,
editorials, and paid advertisement
• A concerted effort to supply relevant public relations materials for
existing IEEE news and outreach publications
• Specialty workshops addressing key GEO themes – Collaborate
with other International organizations (UN, ISPRS, OGC, …)
• Technical advocacy through various GEO committees and work
with IEEE leadership to address branding of our efforts to maximize
the public awareness of IEEE participation in GEO
• Facilitation of GEOSS standards
• Maximize GEO opportunities for IEEE members – outreach,
education, technical (architecture, data, communications, …)
• Attract broader IEEE international membership through relevant
regional involvement
Outreach to the Public
Eye On Earth
Challenge:
How would you teach a teenager about the
importance of Earth Systems Information and
Global Earth Observation Systems of Systems?
Would you have them read a newspaper? Watch the
news? Attend class? How about having them
WANT to learn about Earth observation and
systems from playing a computer “game”?
Objective:
A game/simulation that will capture the attention of
multiple audiences and create a greater
understanding of the availability and benefits of
using Earth systems information to help mitigate
and/or solve world problems in 9 societal areas
What we do in this generation will determine the
destiny of our children’s children
Courtesy of
Rick Anthes
Thank you