CLIMATE DATA RECORDS
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu
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NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
This study was supported by Contract No. 50-DGNA-1-90024 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its subagencies.
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Cover: “Cirrus at Sunset” by G. Stephens, 2003. The original is an oil on canvas and measures 20 in × 24 in. This painting is part of the “Noble Clouds Under Variable Light” series.
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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
Advisers, to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
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COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE DATA RECORDS FROM NOAA OPERATIONAL SATELLITES
DAVID ROBINSON (Chair),
Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
ROGER BARRY,
World Data Center for Glaciology, National Snow & Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado
JANET CAMPBELL,
University of New Hampshire, Durham
RUTH DEFRIES,
University of Maryland, College Park
WILLIAM J. EMERY,
University of Colorado, Boulder
MILTON HALEM,
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (ret.), Greenbelt, Maryland
JAMES HURRELL,
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
ARLENE LAING,
University of South Florida, Tampa
ROBERTA BALSTAD MILLER,
Columbia University/CIESIN, Palisades, New York
RANGA MYNENI,
Boston University, Massachusetts
RICHARD SOMERVILLE,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California
PAUL D. TRY,
Science and Technology Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland
THOMAS VONDER HAAR,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
NRC Staff
SHELDON DROBOT, Study Director
ROB GREENWAY, Project Assistant
BOARD ON ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES AND CLIMATE
ROBERT J. SERAFIN (Chair),
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
FREDERICK R. ANDERSON,
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, Washington, D.C.
ROBERT C. BEARDSLEY,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts
ROSINA M. BIERBAUM,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
RAFAEL L. BRAS,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
MARY ANNE CARROLL,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
KERRY A. EMANUEL,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
CASSANDRA G. FESEN,
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
JENNIFER A. LOGAN,
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
ROGER M. WAKIMOTO,
University of California, Los Angeles
JOHN C. WYNGAARD,
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Ex Officio Members
ANTONIO J. BUSALACCHI, JR.,
University of Maryland, College Park
ERIC F. WOOD,
Princeton University, New Jersey
NRC Staff
CHRIS ELFRING, Director
SHELDON DROBOT, Program Officer
AMANDA STAUDT, Program Officer
JULIE DEMUTH, Research Associate
ELIZABETH A. GALINIS, Project Assistant
ROB GREENWAY, Project Assistant
DIANE GUSTAFSON, Administrative Associate
ROBIN MORRIS, Financial Officer
Preface
For the past four decades, data flowing from satellite-borne sensors have provided environmental information at spatial scales only dreamed of before the advent of these powerful observation tools. Data from satellites provided remarkable insights into Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans, and cryosphere systems. We have progressed in understanding Earth’s internal dynamics and kinematics, along with important interrelationships between Earth systems. Time series data of elements within these systems have been scrutinized in attempts to better understand climate variability and to identify critical trends that may signal changes in the climate system. From these studies has emerged a growing appreciation of the importance of satellite climate data records (CDRs) that possess the accuracy, longevity, and stability to facilitate credible climate monitoring. These satellite CDRs provide abundant information to assist those making decisions regarding the status and fate of our environment.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is to be commended for accepting the challenge to better understand climate variability and change. By requesting the formation of this ad hoc National Research Council (NRC) committee, it recognized the importance of generating and maintaining satellite climate data records in order to meet this mandate. This committee was tasked with assisting NOAA as it designs a plan to establish this agency as the chief steward of satellite CDRs. This task involves two phases. In phase one, NOAA requested an interim report on a range of different approaches and strategies for generating CDRs and identified key attributes common to successful CDR generation programs. NOAA will use this information as a guide in developing a plan to create CDRs from polar-orbiting satellites. In phase 2 (expected in late 2004), the committee will provide specific comments on the plan.
The NRC’s Committee on Climate Data Records from Operational Satellites took a number of steps to conduct its analysis. Following a series of
committee teleconferences, an information gathering workshop was held in August 2003, with several dozen scientists providing valuable input (see Appendix A for a list of participants). A questionnaire was also distributed to conference participants and others, followed by a busy autumn of teleconferences, e-mails, and face-to-face meetings in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado. It is a credit to the committee and those assisting us at the NRC that by mid-December this report was ready to go out for review.
Our report is divided into six chapters. In Chapter 1 we present a definition of a CDR and introduce the concepts of “fundamental climate data records” (FCDRs) and “thematic climate data records” (TCDRs), distinctions that are of utmost importance when designing and implementing a satellite CDR program. In Chapter 2 we discuss lessons learned from a sampling of past and present efforts to create satellite CDRs. This chapter benefits tremendously from the thematic expertise of all committee members. Elements of a successful satellite CDR generation program are outlined in Chapter 3, beginning with an organizational structure, continuing with suggested steps for creating CDRs, and finishing with suggestions on sustaining the program. A critical element to any CDR program is data management. In Chapter 4 we discuss data storage, archiving, and dissemination issues, emphasizing that the success of the satellite CDR program requires facilitating the straightforward and open access of subsets of satellite and ancillary data of interest to an investigator. NOAA is well suited to assume key stewardship of satellite CDRs, but it cannot and should not go it alone. In Chapter 5 the importance of partnering with other federal agencies, the international community, academia, and other sectors is discussed. Chapter 6 presents an overarching recommendation, along with a series of supporting recommendations.
Many individuals provided important information and insights that helped the committee as we prepared this report. Thanks go to Greg Withee, Tom Karl, Mitch Goldberg, John Bates, and George Ohring for their interest in and leadership of satellite CDR development efforts at NOAA and for presenting us with such an exciting and challenging task. We are grateful to all who took time from their busy summer schedules to participate in the August 2003 workshop, particularly those who made presentations: Eugenia Kalnay, Kevin Trenberth, Graeme Stephens, and Bill Rossow. We also appreciate all those who contributed to earlier NRC reports that illustrate and justify the importance of climate data records.
On behalf of the entire committee I want to express gratitude to those associated with the NRC Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate who
provided keen insights, able direction, and tremendous support to our endeavor. This includes board director, Chris Elfring; project assistant, Rob Greenway; and especially our erudite study director, Sheldon Drobot.
A word of thanks to members of the committee; they are wonderful, talented individuals who volunteered countless hours to this effort. This reflects their dedication to the science community, and illustrates their belief that by having the opportunity to help guide NOAA in the detailed development of an end-to-end CDR program, they can make a difference.
Our committee’s work is not yet done. Part of the attraction of serving on this committee is that we have two opportunities to produce advice: this interim report and a chance to comment in detail later this year on the satellite CDR plan that NOAA will now formulate. We look forward to getting back together in the middle of 2004, at which time we anticipate producing a second report in response to NOAA’s draft plan.
David A. Robinson, Chair
Committee on Climate Data Records from NOAA Operational Satellites
Acknowledgments
This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Research Council’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report:
Lee E. Branscome, Climatological Consulting Corporation
James A. Coakley, Jr., Oregon State University
John Christy, University of Alabama, Huntsville
Jennifer Francis, Rutgers University
Dorothy Hall, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Michael King, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Kevin Trenberth, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Steve Worley, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Although the reviewers listed above have provided constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the report’s conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Christopher Justice of the University of Maryland. Appointed by the National Research Council, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.