Global Ocean Observing System

Global Ocean Observing System
Name	Global Ocean Observing System
Formation	1991
Type	International organization
Purpose	Ocean observation and research
Headquarters	Paris, France
Region served	Global
Parent organization	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

Contents

Global Ocean Observing System is an international organization that aims to develop and implement a comprehensive and sustained system for observing the World Ocean, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The system is designed to provide critical data and information to support oceanography, climate change research, and weather forecasting, as conducted by organizations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The Global Ocean Observing System works closely with other international organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), to achieve its goals. The system's development is also influenced by the work of renowned scientists such as Roger Revelle and Sylvia Earle, who have made significant contributions to the field of oceanography.

Introduction

The Global Ocean Observing System is a critical component of the Earth observation system, providing essential data and information to support ocean conservation, fisheries management, and coastal zone management, as implemented by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The system is designed to observe the ocean currents, sea surface temperature, and ocean chemistry, using a range of technologies, including satellites, buoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), developed by companies such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The data collected by the Global Ocean Observing System is used by researchers at institutions such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) to better understand the ocean's role in the climate system and to support climate modeling and prediction, as conducted by organizations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research.

The concept of a Global Ocean Observing System was first proposed in the 1980s by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, with the support of organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the European Commission (EC). The system was formally established in 1991, with the signing of the Global Ocean Observing System Memorandum of Understanding by Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among other countries. The development of the Global Ocean Observing System has been influenced by the work of scientists such as Carl-Gustaf Rossby and Henry Stommel, who made significant contributions to the field of physical oceanography. The system has also been shaped by international agreements, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

The Global Ocean Observing System consists of a range of components, including in situ observing systems, such as buoys and moorings, and remote sensing systems, such as satellites and aircraft, developed by organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The system also includes a range of infrastructure, including data centers, such as the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), and communication networks, such as the Internet and satellite communications, provided by companies such as Intelsat and Inmarsat. The Global Ocean Observing System works closely with other international organizations, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to ensure the integration of ocean observations into the broader Earth observation system.

The Global Ocean Observing System collects and manages large volumes of data, which are used to support a range of applications, including climate modeling and prediction, weather forecasting, and ocean conservation, as conducted by organizations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The data are managed by a range of data centers, including the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), and are made available to users through a range of data portals, such as the Global Ocean Observing System Data Portal and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Data Portal. The Global Ocean Observing System works closely with other international organizations, such as the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), to ensure the integration of ocean observations into the broader Earth observation system.

The Global Ocean Observing System supports a range of research and operational uses, including climate change research, ocean acidification research, and tsunami warning systems, as implemented by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC). The system also supports fisheries management and ocean conservation efforts, as conducted by organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Global Ocean Observing System works closely with other international organizations, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to ensure the integration of ocean observations into the broader Earth observation system.

The Global Ocean Observing System faces a range of challenges, including the need to maintain and upgrade the in situ and remote sensing observing systems, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the system, as discussed by organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the European Academy of Sciences (EAS). The system must also adapt to emerging technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and gliders, developed by companies such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The Global Ocean Observing System will continue to play a critical role in supporting ocean conservation, climate change research, and weather forecasting, as implemented by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The system's development will be influenced by the work of scientists such as Sylvia Earle and Roger Revelle, who have made significant contributions to the field of oceanography.