Stephan Bojinski, Space Programme Haleh Kootval, Public Weather Services Programme
WMO/EUMETSAT Side Event, 23 Sep 2014
EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference
22-26 Sep 2014, Geneva
Raising the Benefits of Meteorological Services and
Satellites
Mission Statements
WMO:
“To provide world leadership in expertise and international
cooperation in weather, climate, hydrology and water
resources and related environmental issues and thereby
contribute to the safety and well-being of people
throughout the world and to the economic benefit of all
nations.”
World Bank:
“Working for a world free of poverty.”
History
Interest since 1960s in valuation of meteo/hydro
services, driven by:
Science & Technology
Expected benefits from
investments
1961: US President J.F. Kennedy addressed the UN Assembly: “… Here, new scientific tools have become available. With modern computers, rockets and satellites, the time is ripe to harness a variety of disciplines for a concerted attack … the atmospheric sciences require worldwide observations and, hence, international cooperation…”
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World Weather Watch: Significant investments
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Observations Tele
communication
Processing &
Forecasting Services
Observations:
Estimated cost: 5-10 billion USD annually
Global Climate Observing System:
Additional cost: 2.5 billion USD annually
(GCOS IP 2010)
Significant Benefits:
Weather and climate-sensitive areas
Value-adding of meteorological services
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Sou
rce:
WM
O R
A V
I Wor
king
Gro
up o
n S
ervi
ce
Del
iver
y an
d P
artn
ersh
ip,
Dec
201
3:
Soc
io-e
cono
mic
ben
efits
of h
ydro
-met
eoro
logi
cal
serv
ices
– th
e be
nefit
s of
sho
win
g th
e be
nefit
s,
Benefit studies help to:
1. Foster forecast and service innovation
- Assess impacts
- Justify investments in basic services
2. Assess value for tax money
3. Identify value for all weather, climate-sensitive sectors
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Question:
“Why do we need the weather service? For weather information, I go to the Weather Channel…” Answer:
“Why do we need 9 million milk cows in this country? For milk, I go to the supermarket…”
(pers.comm., 2006)
Guidance by WMO
To assist NMHSs in:
1. Assessing socio-economic benefits of weather and
climate services, and
2. Communicating these benefits
Conferences (e.g., Madrid 2007)
Expert Groups (e.g., in WMO Region VI – Europe)
Joint WMO – World Bank Guideline (release March 2015): - Compilation of methodologies
- Practical guidance
- Case studies
To increase mutual understanding between meteorologists
and economists
Increase cost-benefit of satellites by:
Coordinating satellite assets, and
Enhancing satellite data utilization
Space-based Global Observing System Satellite datasets monitored at ECMWF
CGMS: 13 satellite operator members
CEOS: 31 members
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Guidance by WMO
Current constellation
Preparing users to the next generation of meteorological satellites 2015-2020
Next-generation constellation
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Satellite User Readiness Navigator
portal (SATURN)
Reference User Readiness Project • Generic timeline with respect to launch
date
(-5/-4/-3 years etc.)
• Deliverables for users and satellite
operators
Use of OSCAR tool for gap analysis
and planning www.wmo.int/oscar/space
(>600 satellites, >800 instruments)
Guidance by WMO
Common product standards
(e.g., RGB composites)
Support to international
science groups
Training and
capacity building
Summary
WMO assists in raising the benefits from
meteorological services and satellites, by
Guiding the assessment and communication of such
benefits
Providing support to NMHSs
Coordinating, and enhancing the use of, satellites
Challenges:
How to quantify benefits beyond NWP: climate and
related services
Ensure user readiness to next generation satellites
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