eGY Drivers

Two developments have brought us to the threshold of another revolution in the advancing of our understanding of the Earth and geospace. First, our ability to collect data has increased dramatically, with pervasive networks of observational stations on the ground, in the oceans, in the atmosphere, and in space. Second, modern digital communications and methodologies for information management provide us with an unprecedented ability to access and share information and processing capability.

These developments coincide with a heightened awareness by governments of the need for sustainable management of the finite natural resources of our planet, the importance of understanding the Earth as a complex system, and the central role that ready access to comprehensive information and knowledge plays. This translates into a growing readiness to support so-called e-Science and grid infrastructures of computing resources.

• Growth of data volumes, with higher space-time resolution
• Demand for real-time response
• Need for a multidisciplinary/multi-institutional approach to understanding the Earth-space system
• Data assimilation and integration requirements for modeling and knowledge development
• Availability of e-Science options
• The demonstrable benefits of universal (equal) access to data by everyone
• The benefits of cooperation and sharing across the many different programs and initiatives with common data stewardship requirements.

An international resolve and coordinated effort by all nations spanning all geoscience disciplines will help us maximize the value to society of these developments and to share the benefits equally between all nations.