What is the IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (ICEO)
The IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (ICEO) facilitates broad-based IEEE participation in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and its international effort to create a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) for applying Earth observation data and information for societal benefits. The focus of GEO and ICEO is helping to improve living conditions, particularly in developing countries, through the development of GEOSS, a realizable global resource for decision makers at all levels. To support this development, GEOSS requires the broad range of skills embodied in the IEEE membership from System of Systems (SoS) engineering and communication to standards and information applications.
ICEO activities support the IEEE future vision
- Use technology to address grand societal challenges to improve standards of living globally; draw upon the breadth of IEEE in addressing these with an international reach
- Engage IEEE members in addressing hard societal problems
- Become a technical resource for decision makers across the globe
Read more about ICEO
Water Availability Panel to Address Pilot Studies in Developing Countries
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), in cooperation with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), has commissioned a study of global fresh water resources. The study will take place in calendar year 2008 and will focus on the following general topics of: water quality & health, water discovery, and water use & efficiency.
A goal of the study is to provide a view of the problems, science and engineering challenges, and opportunities in providing fresh water resources to regional and global populations with an objective of defining and addressing coordinated pilot programs. The study will be international in scope and coordinated by the IEEE Committee on Earth Observations (ICEO)
Read more on water project.
Click here for Water for the World briefing.
What is the Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS)?
As a "system of systems", GEOSS is composed of contributed Earth Observation systems, ranging from primary data collection systems concerned with the creation and distribution of information products. Although all GEOSS systems continue to operate within their own mandates, GEOSS systems can leverage each other so that the overall GEOSS becomes much more than the sum of its component systems. This synergy develops as each contributor supports common arrangements designed to make shared observations and products more accessible, comparable, and understandable.
The GEOSS Focus
GEOSS will be primarily focused on issues of regional and global scale and on cross-sector applications, while also facilitating the operation and enhancement of Earth observing systems. At present, GEOSS Implementation is concentrating on nine areas of societal benefits and the creation of the information infrastructure – that is the architecture and modules for a global observation system of systems.
For a full description click here
The Nine Societal Benefits (Why You Should Care)
- Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human-induced disasters.
- Understanding environmental factors affecting human health and well-being.
- Improving management of energy resources.
- Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to climate variability and change.
- Improving water resource management through better understanding of the water cycle.
- Improving weather information, forecasting, and warning.
- Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
- Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification.
- Understanding, monitoring, and conserving biodiversity.
Ok, Pop Quiz: Which Benefit Do These Apply To?
Take a few seconds and examine the images to the right. Can you recognize which off the nine societal benefits they cover?
The ICEO is powered by volunteers. A great many people are taking time as part of their careers to coordinate this effort and contribute to the success of GEOSS. Their time and efforts are greatly appreciated as they work to improve our lives and the lives of the future generations.
