Synopsis
The National Plan for Civil Earth Observations aims to harness the power of Earth observations to address major societal challenges like climate change, extreme weather events, food and water security, disaster response, and environmental justice. The Biden-Harris Administration’s investment in civil Earth observation capabilities focuses on understanding, monitoring, and adapting to climate and environmental changes through technological advances and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Overarching Principles
- Integration of Earth Observing Services: Improving coordination across Federal agencies and the broader Earth Observation Enterprise.
- Data Integrity: Ensuring the integrity of Earth Observations data across the Earth Observations Enterprise.
- Availability of Government Capabilities: Continuing the availability of foundational U.S. Government capabilities in Earth Observations (atmosphere, land, ice, ocean) and expanding the use of commercial data and services.
Key Goals and Objectives
- Advance Science-Informed Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Activities: This involves expanding observations for future climate products and services, improving understanding of the impact of Earth Observations on climate strategies, and incorporating Earth Observations data into Earth systems change calculations.
- Strengthen Environmental Monitoring and Management: The focus here is on integrating Earth Observations service delivery from observation and product processing to decision making and evaluation. This includes expanding observations to monitor landscape change, connecting biodiversity research across scales, improving Earth Observations for wildland fire response, and supporting sustainable use of natural resources.
- Improve Human Health and Safety: This goal concentrates on using Earth Observations for decision support in extreme events and public health policy. Objectives include reducing disparities in access to public health information, reducing exposure to environmental risks, understanding the impacts of extreme events on health, and improving monitoring and forecasting capabilities.
Enterprise Initiatives
- Sustained Observing and Monitoring System Capacity: Ensuring the long-term availability of Earth observation data and products.
- Equitable Access & Ethical Use of Earth Observations Data: Promoting better utilization and integration of Earth observation data.
- Increased Diversity and Expanded Stakeholder Engagement: Encouraging varied perspectives and collaboration in Earth Observations planning.
- Domestic and International Partner Collaboration: Fostering comprehensive solutions to complex problems through partnerships.
- Institutional and Workforce Readiness: Aligning skills for a workforce capable of addressing climate change impacts.
- Continuous Assessment of Earth Observation Systems: Understanding the impact of existing and planned Earth observing systems.
By implementing this plan, the U.S. aspires to lead in integrated, widespread, and impactful Earth Observations, providing crucial insights for a changing planet and enhancing societal well-being.
