Strategic foresight paper on AtlantOS in the European context: Towards strengthened coordination and governance of ocean observing systems

This paper looks at the marine science-policy landscape and brings together different policy discussions aimed at the development of a European Ocean Observing System, in the context of AtlantOS and how this relates to wider Atlantic and global policy drivers and existing and emerging wider ocean observation coordination. It has a European focus, looking at proposed mechanisms and components for ocean coordination and governance and the potential contribution of existing organizations and initiatives. The report serves as a reference document for, and contribution to, the European Strategy on Atlantic Ocean Observing and international BluePrint for an integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System

European Strategy for Atlantic Ocean Observing

A report on sustainability issues and long-term implementation plan for IAOOS. National and European plans for long-term implementation (organization, funding, role of the different nations, EU, role and international partners) of the Atlantic observing system will be prepared

Toward a digital resilience

As we contend with human impacts on the biosphere, there is rightfully a great emphasis now on community adaptation and resilience to climate change. Recent innovations in information technologies and analyses are helping communities to become more resilient. However, not often discussed in this vein is a path toward digital resilience. If mapping and information tools are to help communities, it stands to reason that they must be resilient themselves, as well as the data that they are based on. In other words, digital tools can help make communities resilient by providing data, evidence-based advice on community decisions, etc., but the resilience of the tools themselves can also be an issue. Digital resilience means that to the greatest extent possible, data and tools should be freely accessible, interchangeable, operational, of high quality, and up-to-date so that they can help give rise to the resilience of communities or other entities using them. Given the speed at which humans are altering the biosphere, the usefulness and effectiveness of these technologies must keep pace. This article reviews and recommends three fundamental digital practices, particularly from the standpoint of geospatial data and for community resilience and policy-making. These are: (1) create and implement a culture that consistently shares not only data, but workflows and use cases with the data, especially within maps and geographic information systems or GIS; (2) use maps and other visuals to tell compelling stories that many different kinds of audiences will understand and remember; and (3) be more open to different kinds of partnerships to reduce project costs, yield better results, and foster public awareness and behavioral change

IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange, Eighteenth Session Kursaal, Ostend, Belgium, 26-30 April 2005

The IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange held its Eighteenth Session (IODE-XVIII) at the Kursaal, Ostend, Belgium between 26 and 30 April 2005. The Session was attended by 59 delegates from 31 Member States, 15 representatives of organizations, programmes and projects, and 5 observers. The Session was preceded by the official inauguration on 25 April 2005, of the IOC Project for IODE, based in Ostend, Belgium which was attended by Mr. Jean Vandecasteele, Mayor of the City of Ostend, Mrs Fientje Moerman (Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade), Dr Patricio Bernal (on behalf of Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO), Mr. Johan Vande Lanotte, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for the Budget and Public Enterprise and Minister of the North Sea, Mr. Paul Breyne, Governor of West-Flanders and President of the Board of Directors of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Dr Lesley Rickards, Chair of the IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE), and Mr. Yves Leterme, Minister-president of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Institutional Reform, Agriculture, Sea Fisheries and Rural Policy. The IODE Committee, during its 5 day Session, reviewed the work of the past inter-sessional period. Considerable attention was given to the IODE Review that had taken place during the inter-sessional period. The Committee reviewed all recommendations by the Review Team and made several fundamental and structural change decisions in response to the Review. These included the re-composition of the IODE Officers, the abolishment of the RNODC and IODE Regional Co-ordinator systems, and further review of the IODE Groups of Experts during the next inter-sessional period. The Committee established an inter-sessional working group on ocean data quality control, thereby re-emphasizing the important role of IODE in this area. The Committee further welcomed the increased collaboration with other organizations, programmes and projects such as JCOMM, GOOS, ICES, SCAR, CDIAC, GCMD, CEP, OBIS, IAMSLIC, EURASLIC and others. The Committee noted the success of the ODINAFRICA and ODINCARSA projects, established the ODINCINDIO project and recommended the establishment of an ODIN for the WESTPAC region. The Committee further endorsed an outline and timeline for the development of the IOC Data Management Strategy. The Committee prepared 4 Resolutions and 8 Recommendations

D2.2. EVs current status in different communities and way to move forward

Report on the Essential Variables current status in the scientific community and the strategy to push them forward. This report summarizes the results of the workshop "Towards a sustainability process for GEOSS Essential Variables (EVs)," at which the current status of the EV discussions in a number of communities was reviewed and recommendations for the further development of a general process for the identification and validation of the EVs were developed

Fifth National Communication of the United States of America Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Fifth U.S. Climate Action Report presents a detailed outline of the actions the U.S. is taking to address climate change, contains updated projections on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and underscores the United States commitment to address climate change

IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange, Twenty-first Session, Liège, Belgium, 23-26 March 2011

The IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange held its Twenty-first Session (IODE-XXI) at the Palais des Congrès, Liège, Belgium between 23 and 26 March 2011. The Session was attended by 74 participants from 36 IOC Member States and seven organizations. The Session’s outcomes included: (i) the further steps towards the adoption of OBIS by IODE, including the recommended establishment of an IOC Project Office for IODE/OBIS; (ii) the continuation of the IOC Project Office for IODE in Ostend, Belgium; (iii) a Statement on the IODE role in the ICSU World Data System; (iv) the planned further expansion of OceanTeacher to include a wider range of IOC disciplines as well as the recommended development of a five-year training plan; (v) the planned revision of the IOC Strategic Plan for Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (2012–2015). The Committee elected Ms Sissy Iona (Greece) and Mr Ariel Troisi (Argentina) as IODE Co-Chairs

Status of the Global Observing System for Climate

Status of the Global Observing System for Climat