Thursday, September 09, 2004
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The White House on Wednesday told 15 federal agencies to
better share scientific data about the Earth among themselves and with other
nations.
The administration's draft plan for the next 10 years requires the agencies to
identify ways they can help create a global system for observing the planet.
The effort so far involves 48 other countries, the European Commission and 29
international groups.
Environmental changes are to be tracked in every part of the globe, said John
H. Marburger III, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
The plan is expected to be made final by year's end and is part of an
international system under development.
U.S. officials cite benefits such as improved weather forecasting and climate
modeling, better estimates of crop yields and energy resources, and more
knowledge about air and water quality and ways to enhance airline safety.
"We must connect the scientific dots," said retired Navy Vice
Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, a Commerce Department undersecretary who heads
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Until we do, and
all of the individual technology is connected as one integrated system, there
will always be blind spots and scientific uncertainty."
Source: Associated Press