RECETOX-made database is now linked globally to GEOSS
The Tenth Plenary Session of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO-X) and the 2014 GEO Ministerial Summit, organized by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and hosted by Switzerland took place in the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland, from 15 to 17 January 2014.
The meeting was convened to mark the 10 years of Earth observation activities and together with high level participants of 90 GEO government Members, the European Commission and 77 Participating Organizations, as well as private sector companies, to decide on GEO future. Main objective is to establish a global information system GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) linking nine priority areas (agriculture, biodiversity, climate, disasters, ecosystems, energy, health, water, and weather) information provided by the observations from the space, oceans, atmosphere, water and other environmental matrices publicly and free of charge.
An eye-opening public exhibition of digital age science and technology that currently and well into the future will revolutionize our understanding of Earth was provided through over 20 informative and engaging displays that highlight some of the key contributions to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and demonstrate that interlinking and interoperability allow for better observation, forecasting and understanding changes and events on the planet and consequently, creation of a more comprehensive picture rather than a snapshot assignments. This broader approach will give us a more comprehensive and necessary framework to support informed decision making and use a detailed information to improve quality of life.
In addition, the Ministerial Summit unanimously renewed the GEO mandate until 2025 and approved a Ministerial Declaration asking for open data sharing in all nine priority areas globally, building on previous advances.
“The Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) is the only Czech institution providing data to the GEOSS at present; RECETOX is strategic partner for priority area health, part HE-2 (Tracking Pollutants) and we have succeeded as one of a few global organizations to fulfil our task provided in the GEO work plan. Therefore, analytical and visualization tools developed by a joint RECETOX-IBA team for the Global Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (GMP) are nowadays fully linked with GEOSS,” said Professor Jana Klánová, Director of the Centre in the GEO meeting.
The portal, www.pops-gmp.org, made on command for UNEP as a global data repository and visualisation portal is unique in its scope, tools and in particular by the coverage and availability of information on the contamination of the environment. Linked information cover the whole Earth and provide levels of persistent organic pollutants in atmosphere and human matrices until 2008 in 107 files; the files can be downloaded from the www.pops-gmp.org or veiwed through visualization www.pops-gmp.org/visualization.
More information on the meeting is available at http://www.geosec.org/geo10.shtml?id=4 and more information on GEOSS in general at http://www.geosec.org/geoss.shtml.
The text was prepared by using the official press release and information from the RECETOX representative in the meeting; photos courtesy of the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS).
22.1.2014
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