GEO commits to unleashing open data in a bid to address global challenges, including climate change

"In a time of exponential data growth, human development and climate change, the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) announced Friday that members are committed to sharing data on Earth observations. “We promote open access to data, knowledge and information,” Dr. Jianlin Cao (pictured right), China’s vice minister of science and technology, notes in a GEO statement issued last Friday following the conclusion of the week-long 12th plenary session and fourth ministerial summit in Mexico City. 'Data sharing is key for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems,' Dr. Cao continued. 'As co-chair of the Asia-Pacific region, we will implement more activities to enforce GEO co-operation with other countries, such as capacity-building, data sharing, eco-environment, disaster monitoring and climate change observing,' he said ..."