The Group on Earth Observations (or GEO) is coordinating international efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). It is linking together existing and planned Earth observation systems and supporting the development of new ones where the need exists. The aim is to construct a global public infrastructure for Earth observations that, like the Internet, will consist of a flexible and distributed network of content providers.
Common Earth observation instruments include ocean buoys, meteorological stations and balloons, seismic and Global Positioning System (GPS) stations, remote-sensing satellites, computerized forecasting models and early warning systems. These instruments are used to measure and monitor specific aspects of the Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems.
Earth observations are vital for policymaking and assessment in many fields. GEO focuses on nine priority areas: natural and human-induced disasters, the environmental sources of health hazards, energy management, climate change and its impacts, freshwater resources, weather forecasting, ecosystem management, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation.
Read more about Group On Earth Observations: History and Structure, GEO Members, GEO Participating Organizations
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