G8 gives nod to U.S.-led project

World leaders have endorsed the Global Earth Observation System of Systems in a plan to thwart pollution and global warming.

The Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations and developing countries should all implement GEOSS, according to the G8's "Plan of Action: Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development.”

“In particular, [the G8 will] work to strengthen the existing climate institutions in Africa, through the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), with a view to developing fully operational regional climate centres in Africa,” the plan states.

GEOSS, a 10-year endeavor, has teamed almost 60 countries to implement a worldwide environmental monitoring system that would include a tsunami-detection network. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher is one of four international co-chairs of the organization leading the effort.

The endorsement "demonstrates the continued political will necessary to make GEOSS a reality,” Lautenbacher said.

"Maintaining the strong support of the G8 is a tremendous boost for GEOSS," he said. "From understanding climate change and managing our energy resources to easing hunger and slowing the spread of infectious disease, the world has embraced the benefits of GEOSS.”