GEO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND CORE FUNCTIONS

In order to understand the Earth System & the impact changes in the Earth System may have on society, we need reliable, sustained & comprehensive Earth observations. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) was created to bring together a diverse community of providers & users of Earth observations in order to create the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), thus linking planned & current observing systems while improving the integration of, & access to, data & information.

GEO: a) is a unique global initiative mandated to coordinate & facilitate the integration of, & access to, land, water, sea, air- and space-based observing networks & their associated information systems; b) occupies an upstream position in the international community with respect to the major initiatives requiring observations, data & information about the Earth system; and c) brings together Governments & all relevant intergovernmental, international & regional organizations with an interest in Earth observations under a flexible, voluntary framework for coordinating strategies & investments, as well as developing new initiatives, through the on-going implementation of the GEOSS.

Before 2015, GEO aims to substantially expand the availability, use & application of environmental information for public health decision-making in areas of health that include allergens, toxins, infectious diseases, food-borne diseases & chronic diseases, particularly with regard to the impact of climate & ecosystem changes. This presentation will illustrate how GEO plans to achieve those goals by working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global community of human health & environment experts in order to develop & implement health & environment projects. Discussion will also include the progress in: a) accessing to improved environmental information & tools to support the global community of human health & environment experts and b) increased use of environmental information & tools to support decision making in epidemics and/or disease management & planning for well-being. In addition, the audience will be updated with the information from the July 2013 Workshop of the GEO Health & Environment Community of Practice (CoP) as that relates to the coordinated efforts in improving our health & well-being.