Global Change in Environmental Data Sharing

Full and open access to data from remote sensing platforms and other sources can facilitate not only scientific research, but also the more widespread and effective use of scientific data for the benefit of society. The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) is a major international initiative of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to develop “coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information.” In 2005, GEO adopted the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles, which call for the “full and open exchange of data, metadata, and products shared within GEOSS, recognizing relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation.” These Principles also note that “All shared data, metadata, and products will be made available with minimum time delay and at minimum cost” and that “All shared data, metadata, and products being free of charge or no more than cost of reproduction will be encouraged for research and education.
GEOSS Task DA-06-01, aimed at developing a set of recommended implementation guidelines for the Principles, was established in 2006 under the leadership of CODATA, the Committee on Data for Science and Technology of the International Council for Science (ICSU). An international team of authors has developed a White Paper on the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles and a proposed set of implementation guidelines. These are expected to be finalized by the next GEO Ministerial Meeting in November 2010. The current version of the proposed implementation guidelines recognizes the importance of good faith, voluntary adherence to the Principles by GEO National Members and Participating Organizations. It underscores the value of reuse and re-dissemination of GEOSS data with minimum restrictions, not only within GEOSS itself but on the part of GEOSS users. Consistency with relevant international instruments and applicable policies and legislation is essential, and therefore clarification and coordination of applicable policies and procedures are needed. Pricing of GEOSS data, metadata, and products should be based on the premise that the data and information within GEOSS is a public good for public-interest use in the nine societal benefit areas. Time delays for data access from both operational and research systems should be kept to a minimum, reflecting the norms of the relevant scientific communities or data processing centers. The proposed guidelines also emphasize the need to better define research and education uses and to develop and collect usage metrics and indicators.
This presentation will place the GEOSS data sharing principles in the larger context of publicly-funded environmental data access policy, and will review the highlights of the GEOSS data sharing implementation guidelines of this important international initiative.

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