A Global Capacity Building Vision for Societal Applications of Earth Observing Systems and Data : Key Questions and Recommendations

Abstract

Capacity building using Earth observing (EO) systems and data (i.e., from orbital and nonor-bital platforms) to enable societal applications includes the network of human, nonhuman, technical, nontechnical, hardware, and software dimensions that are necessary to successfully cross the valley [of death; see NRC (2001)] between science and research (port of departure) and societal application (port of arrival). In many parts of the world (especially where ground-based measurements are scarce or insufficient), applications of EO data still struggle for longevity or continuity for a variety of reasons, foremost among them being the lack of resilient capacity. An organization is said to have resilient capacity when it can retain and continue to build capacity in the face of unexpected shocks or stresses. Stresses can include intermittent power and limited Internet bandwidth, constant need for education on ever-increasing complexity of EO systems and data, communication challenges between the ports of departure and arrival (especially across time zones), and financial limitations and instability. Shocks may also include extreme events such as disasters and losing key staff with technical and institutional knowledge. The combined observational power of the multiple EO satellites and nonorbital platforms has untapped potential waiting to be harnessed to produce more durable societal benefits around the world (Hossain 2015). The community comprising scientists and stakeholders now needs to be ready to take complete advantage of the prolific amount of scientific output and remote sensing data that are emerging rapidly from satellite EO missions and convert them efficiently into products that can support decision-making for end users. So how do we take full advantage of Earth observational capability for a more sustainable, happier, and safer future in the coming decades?