Integrated Observations Interagency Working Group

The Integrated Observations Interagency Working Group (ObsIWG) facilitates the exchange and coordination of observations capabilities and observation technique-related research relevant to climate and global change within USGCRP’s member agencies. The ObsIWG provides a forum for discussion, coordination, and implementation of integrated observational and monitoring capabilities for climate and related global change. ObsIWG serves as a resource on observational activities and progress for USGCRP and member agency activities and coordinates with other relevant interagency organizations related to observations and data.

The scope of the ObsIWG includes the comprehensive observational system needed to meet climate science research and monitoring requirements, and includes satellite-based observations and in situ observations (airborne, ground-based, and ocean-based, and including systematic human observations) in the terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric domains.

Coordination strategies developed are relative to the comprehensive climate observational system, not only to those portions covered by the USGCRP budget, and reflect external coordination with international organizations and partners.

Activities

Developing an annual compendium of federal Earth observation activities
Initiated the monthly Earth Observations in a Changing Climate Seminar Series, which highlights many of today’s pressing environmental questions and issues that can only be addressed using high-quality Earth observations, with emphasis on collaboration across federal agencies. See Resources below for seminar materials.

Resources

Annual Compendium of Federal Earth Observation Activities
Earth Observations in a Changing Climate Seminar Series
- August 2021: Hurricane Observations to Inform Decision-Making on the Ground
  - National Hurricane Program - Christina Finch (FEMA) | View slides
  - National Hurricane Center’s Use of Aircraft Data in Hurricane Analysis - Michael J. Brennan (NOAA) | View slides
  - Tropical Cyclone Observations from NOAA’s Hurricane Field Program - Shirley Murillo (NOAA) |View slides
- September 2021: Earth Observations to Support Environmental Justice | Watch presentation
  - Environmental Justice Observations on Data and Gaps - Matthew Tejada (EPA) | View slides
- October 2021: Marine Heat Waves
  - Observing and Interpreting Marine Heat Waves - Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer (NASA) | View slides
  - Understanding modulation of marine heat waves by winds in eastern boundary upwelling systems - Melanie Fewings (Oregon State University) | View slides
  - Using Marine Heat Wave Products for Management - Andrew W. Leising (NOAA) | View slides
- November 2021: The Impact of Wildfire on the Environment | Watch presentation
  - Advances in understanding wildfire initial emissions, smoke aging, and air quality impacts - Robert Yokelson (University of Montana)
  - Advances in predicting and observing the wildfire environment - Craig Clements (San José State University)
  - Climate warming, increasing wildfire, and the carbon balance of boreal forests - Michelle Mack (Northern Arizona University)
- January 2022: Observations to Support the Global Average Surface Temperature Analysis
  - NOAAGlobalTemp: A Global Reconstruction of Surface Temperature for 1880-Present - Russell S. Vose (NOAA) | View slides
  - GISTEMP Analysis of Global Surface Temperatures - Gavin Schmidt (NASA) | View slides
- June 2022: Earth Observation Needs for Land Use and Land Cover, Forests, and Agriculture | Watch presentation
  - A presentation in support of the interagency panel “Observing Gaps and Needs” in the context of the upcoming 5th National Climate Assessment (NCA5) | View slides
  - Utilization of Earth observation imagery within the National Agricultural Statistics Service | View slides
  - Land-change monitoring to support NCA | View slides
  - Monitoring national land cover and land use change due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances | View slides
- September 2022: The Human Dimension: Combining Observations and Social Science Methods for Robust Research | Watch presentation
  - A National Index of Floodplain Development to Guide Climate-Smart Growth and Land Use Management | View slides
  - Personal Heat Exposure | View slides
- October 2022: Coastal and Ocean Observation Gaps Identified through the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) | Watch presentation

For more information, please contact Reuben Aniekwu.