ESA Observes Oceans

The world's oceans are now being observed routinely and systematically by means of satellite and in situ techniques. The global ocean observing system is changing, however.

After a decade of work on integrating Earth- and satellite-based observing networks, thereby establishing new observation methods that have made a tremendous impact on the way climate change and physical oceanic variability is measured, scientists are once again exploring uncharted waters and looking to set a new course for the future at the OceanObs'09 Conference in Venice, Italy on 21-25 September 2009.

Ten years ago - at the first conference for a comprehensive ocean observing system - scientists envisioned merging satellite altimetry of sea-surface height with tide gauges and buoy measurements in order to forecast ocean currents. They brainstormed methods of, for the first time, systematically monitoring changes in temperature and salinity in the Southern Ocean and the South Atlantic. They also drew up a plan for deploying a global array of temperature and salinity floats that would profile the water column down to a depth of 2000m in real time.

The initiatives launched at that 1999 conference have since provided data used for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments of human influence on climate change and to improve seasonal forecasts crucial for agriculture, hydropower, and storm prediction, as well as to build up information invaluable to the lives and safety of mariners.

OceanObs'09 will analyse this past decade of achievement and steer the observing system in a new direction for the future. The aim will be to take stock of the progress made over the last 10 years, present scientific results based on global ocean observations, consider the related societal and economic benefits, examine the present frontiers of global ocean observations and look at the way ahead in the coming decade. Over 500 participants from 30 countries will be attending OceanObs'09 to discuss the societal and economic needs that the ocean observing system should address over the next 10 years. Further details and the list of speakers are available on the conference website: www.oceanobs09.net

With a better understanding of how the ocean operates has come a sobering awareness of the impact of changes on marine ecosystems. Understanding the role of carbon flux between the atmosphere, land and sea is a challenge that scientists must meet if the consequences of political decisions on carbon emissions are to be monitored and assessed. Ensuring the sustainability of the observing system is also at the forefront of the agenda. Commitments to further enhance and continue operations are needed from satellite agencies and for in situ networks alike.