Monitoring the earth: too many players?

A number of organizations are currently engaged in, or proposing to embark on, worldwide measurement/monitoring programs. Program objectives vary in type and complexity, including a form of technical library (the Global Environment Monitoring System of the United Nations Environment Program), and an ambitious experiment to validate algorithms to derive land surface climatological parameters (International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project).

Modeling and understanding the Earth as an integrated system is an immense undertaking and will require at least as many measurements as are currently acquired. Improved coordination is required among the diverse national and international measurement/monitoring programs to ensure that sensors, launch dates, orbits, and supporting research are complementary to the maximum extent possible. Development of a long-term program of Earth system monitoring/modeling, such as the International Global Change Program proposed by the International Council of Scientific Unions, could provide the necessary focus and structure for effective international coordination and cooperation.