e GY BASICS

1. The Electronic Geophysical Year, 2007-2008 eGY BASICS www.egy.org Charles.Barton@anu.edu.au

2. drivers Modern capabilities Modern problems Government attitudes

3. Earth & Space Science Informatics responses 0 11 11 01 00 00 11 01 10 11 1 WGISS ESSI AVO – Astrophysical Virtual Observatory NVO – US National Virtual Observatory VCO – Virtual Carbon Observatory VGMO – Virtual Geomagnetic Observatory VHO – Virtual Heliophysical Observatory ViRBO – Virtual Radiation Belt Observatory VMO – Virtual Magnetospheric Observatories VOO - Virtual Ocean Observatory VSN – Virtual Seismic Network VSO – Virtual Solar Observatory ……. CGI One Geology US National Geoinformatics

4. Geoinformatics journals • Computers and Geoscience, Elsevier. • 2. Data Science Journal, CODATA. • 3. Advances in Geosciences, EGU • 4. Earth Science Informatics - planned by Springer-Verlag for 2008 • AGU ESSI (with EGU?) is contemplating a new Earth & Space Science Informatics journal • Geo Informatics – a magazine for surveying, mapping, and GIS professionals

5. Challenges • How do we find out who is doing what? • Share experience & expertise • Coordinate activities (non-proliferation) • Reduce replication of effort • Promote common/best practices (standards)? A4 US Letter

7. embraces and extends IGY principles… • International cooperation and data sharing • Universal access to data and information • Timely and convenient access to data • Global, cross-disciplinary scope • Data preservation • Capacity building, especially in developing countries • Education, public outreach, information for decision making

8. GEOSS

9. What is eGY practically?

10. An IUGG programled bysponsored by NSF, IUGG, IAGA, NASAin-kind support from LASP, NCAR, NOAA, USGS NSIDC, BAS, INAF, … eGY Secretariat, LASP, Boulder, CO

11. ICSU Unions - GeoUnions

12. philosophy In the geosciences, as in other disciplines, ready and open access to the vast and growing collections of cross-disciplinary digital information is the key to understanding and responding to complex Earth system phenomena that influence human survival. We have a shared responsibility to create and implement strategies to realise the full potential of digital information and services for present and future generations.

13. “Knowledge is the common wealth of humanity” • In the geosciences, as in other disciplines, ready and open access to the vast and growing collections of cross-disciplinary digital information is the key to understanding and responding to complex Earth system phenomena that influence human survival. • We have a shared responsibility to create and implement strategies to realise the full potential of digital information and services for present and future generations. Adama Samassekou Convener of the UN World Summit on the Information Society

14. vision We will achieve a major step forward in Earth and space science capability, knowledge, and usage throughout the world for the benefit of humanity by accelerating the adoption of modern, visionary practices for managing and sharing data, information, and services.

15. themes Data access Data discovery Data release Data preservation Data rescue Outreach & Education Capacity building VHO architecture

16. structure Secretariat (at LASP, Univ. Colorado) Director Dan Baker, LASP Secretary: Bill Peterson Communications: Marissa Rusinek Public Relations and E/PO: Emily CoBabe-Ammann International Committee Chair: Charlie Barton;Co-chair: Guo Huadong Representatives from key bodies and countries Australia, Canada, China, Europe, France, Germany, Japan, RSA, Russia, UK, USA Working Groups Virtual Observatories: Peter Fox Data Integration & Knowledge Discovery Paul Berkman Best Practice (joint with CODATA): Eric Kihn Data Rescue and Preservation: Jeff Love Education and Public Outreach: Emily CoBabe-Ammann VHO architecture

17. role Provide an international, cooperative environment to • inform • inspire • facilitate • encourage • promote

18. provides Networks of people Newsletter Website Events at conferences Meetings eGY Declaration Showcase demonstrations Support for other initiatives

19. Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons“Knowledge is the common wealth of humanity” Adama Samassekou, Convener of the UN World Summit on the Information Society The principles on which eGY is based have been articulated by ICSU, the World Summit on the Information Society, CODATA, and other bodies. The principles are encapsulated in the eGY Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons - a statement of aspirations and principles of data stewardship.

20. Declaration for a Geoscience Information Commons • PREAMBLE • Article 1: Data access • Earth system data and information should be made available electronically with interoperable approaches that facilitate open access. • Article 2: Data release • Owners, custodians, and creators of Earth system data should work together to share their digital information with the world community, though in a manner that respects propriety requirements and security constraints. • Article 3: Data description • Providers and users of Earth system data and information should share descriptions of structure, content, and contexts to facilitate interoperability and the discovery of relationships within and between information resources. • Article 4: Data persistence • Data and information about the Earth system should be preserved and sustained in forms that are both software and hardware independent so as to be openly accessible today and in the future. • Article 5: Data rescue • Effort should be made to identify and rescue critical Earth system data and ensure persistent access to them. • Article 6: Common standards and cooperation • Standards for interoperability should be identified, created, and implemented through international collaboration. • Article 7: Capability building • Communities with advanced information technology and communications capabilities should contribute to developing such capabilities elsewhere to reduce the digital divide. • Article 8: Education and public outreach • Students, scientists, decision-makers, and the public should be informed about and be enabled to contribute to our understanding and management of the Earth system phenomena that influence human survival.

21. Events July 2006 AOGS, Singapore July 2006 COSPAR, Beijing Oct 2006 CODATA Conference, Beijing Dec 2006 Fall AGU, San Francisco Mar 2007 eGY General Meeting, NCAR Boulder Apr 2007 EGU, Vienna May 2007 AGU Joint Assembly, Accapulco Jun 2007 VOiG Conference, Boulder Jul 2007 IUGG General Assembly, Perugia 7 Jul 07 IGY+50 events and launch of eGY, Perugia Dec 2007 Fall AGU, San Francisco; Geoinformatics Summit? Mar 2008 eGY General Meeting(?) May 2008 AGU Joint Assembly Aug 2008 IGC-33 Oslo, Norway; Geoinformatics Summit? Oct 2008 CODATA Conference Dec 2008 Fall AGU, San Francisco 31 Dec 08 Close of eGY

22. Showcase Demonstrationshttp://www.egy.org/resources

23. Challenging the “heroic” science funding paradigm Do our reward systems recognise that making data and information easily accessible shifts work and responsibility from the user to the provider?

24. Interested in getting involved? www.egy.org - Presentations- DemonstrationseGY NewsEmail lists - eGYTeam (for mngt correspondence) - eGYParticipants (for most people) - eGYObservers (main notices only) Bill.Peterson@lasp.colorado.edu Sign the ‘Declaration for an Earth and Space Science Information Commons’

25. Activities - eGY in your workplace • Identify and undertake eGY-related activities • Encourage others in your community to become active in issues of modern data and information management • Form an eGY Task Group or Committee • Use 2007-2008 as a target date or milestone • Consider creating a virtual observatory • Report eGY developments and opportunities to your community. • Access expertise through the eGY networks. • Promote your work via eGY News, the website, and meetings. • Use eGY to strengthen bids for funding. • Organize meetings, workshops, and symposia • Participate in international eGY events • Consider outreach, education, and developing country needs

26. To support eGY … • Sign the Declaration • Market and promote eGY • Publish news articles about eGY and its messages • Use the eGY logo and brand name to mark activities, events, publications, communications, and so on • Join an eGY Working Group / create a new one • Serve on the International Committee • Identify new opportunities for eGY • Pass a resolution supporting eGY. • Attend conferences; help organise events. • Conferences 2007-2008: include an eGY windup event - celebrate IGY legacy, review eGY achievements, identify future steps. • Develop the website: www.egy.org • Contribute to eGY policy, planning, and practice

27. is an opportunity to • Find out who is doing what • Share experience and expertise • Coordinate activities • Reduce replication of effort • Promote common practices (standards) • Widen participation • Reduce the digital divide • Raise awareness of the need for modern, professional data stewardship • Educate; influence decision makers • Inspire public and professional interest.