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Vice
Admiral Lautenbacher on stage with Jeffrey Sachs
during the Q&A session that followed last week's
presentation by the Vice Admiral. Photo credit:
Bruce Gilbert |
Vice Admiral Lautenbacher, Ph.D., USN (Ret.), Undersecretary
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), met with members of the Earth Institute to discuss
global observation research and development of new academic
programs in Earth and environmental policy. Lautenbacher
was accompanied by the Assistant Administrator of NOAA
Research, Richard Rosen, and several NOAA Program Coordinators.
An overview of the Earth Institute
was given by Director Jeffrey Sachs, followed by discussions
on current and potential work by Columbia researchers
on global observing systems. NOAA is leading an international
effort to coordinate an Earth Observing System, integrating
knowledge from around the world and mobilizing it toward
answering arising questions, such as what impacts the
Earth’s functions will have on society (i.e. climate,
water, air quality, etc.). The purpose of this observing
system is to provide the tools needed to substantially
improve our ability to identify and address critical
environmental, economic and societal concerns.
Throughout the day, presentations
on research activities by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory,
The Center for International Earth Science Information
Network (CIESIN), and the International Research Institute
for Climate Prediction were given.
The development of NOAA’s administrative
structure was the topic of a colloquium given by Lautenbacher
himself to the scientific community at Lamont-Doherty
Earth Observatory. Lautenbacher made it clear that “NOAA
is more than just a storm.” The organization must
have links between earth sciences and the economy and
society, and is working to develop those links. Lautenbacher
encouraged scientists to think more broadly than just
within their own research niche. Researchers need to
look at how their research fits into bigger pictures,
such as agriculture, travel, insurance, infrastructure,
etc.
The Earth Institute and NOAA are partners
in numerous research initiatives. Announced during Lautenbacher’s
visit is the Cooperative Institute for Climate Applications
and Research (CICAR), a new NOAA funded program to be
headquartered at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
For more information on CICAR, visit http://www.earth.columbia.edu/news/2003/story11-14-03.html.
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
is the world’s leading academic center for the
integrated study of Earth, its environment, and society.
The Earth Institute builds upon excellence in the core
disciplines –earth sciences, biological sciences,
engineering sciences, social sciences and health sciences –and
stresses cross-disciplinary approaches to complex problems.
Through its research training and global partnerships,
it mobilizes science and technology to advance sustainable
development, while placing special emphasis on the needs
of the world’s poor.
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