Alliance for Earth Observations to Testify Before Senate Today

Arlington, Va.– Nancy Colleton, president of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and executive director of the Alliance for Earth Observations, is scheduled to testify today at a Senate subcommittee hearing on the future of Earth science research from space.

 

Also testifying are Berrien Moore III, director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at the University of New Hampshire; Otis Brown, dean of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami; and Michael Freilich, director of the Earth Science Division of NASA??s Science Mission Directorate.

 

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. A link to a live webcast should be available starting approximately 15 minutes before the start of the hearing 

 

The hearing follows a recent report by the National Research Council that warns of the nation??s declining fleet of space-based, Earth-observing instruments. ?¨The United Sates?? extraordinary foundation of global observations is at great risk. Between 2006 and the end of the decade, the number of operating missions will decrease dramatically and the number of operating sensors and instruments on NASA spacecraft, most of which are well past their lifetimes, will decrease by 50 percent,?Æ the report states.

 

The Alliance for Earth Observations is an initiative of IGES to promote the understanding and use of space-based, air, land and sea observations for societal and economic benefit. The Alliance??s statement on the National Research Council report is available at: http://alliance.strategies.org

 

Colleton??s testimony is expected to highlight the report??s call for Earth science research over the next decade to go beyond fundamental science to consider ?¨increased applications to serve the nation and people of the world.?Æ Colleton is also expected to express support for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System — the U.S. contribution to the multinational Global Earth Observation System of Systems — and for the establishment of a Cabinet-level leadership position for Earth observations.

 

Colleton??s testimony comes less than a month after former Wyoming governor Jim Geringer represented the Alliance when he testified at a House committee hearing on the same issue.

 

Located in Arlington, Va., IGES is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported by public and private entities. IGES is a trusted leader in Earth and space science education, communication and outreach, and in fostering national and international cooperation in observing the Earth.

 

On the Web:

Alliance for Earth Observations
http://alliance.strategies.org

 

IGES

http://www.strategies.org

 

CONTACT

Dan Stillman
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

(703) 312-7138 (Phone)

(703) 312-8657 (FAX)

Email: dan_stillman@strategies.org

 

(Source The Alliance for Earth Observations)