GPM May 22, 2002 On Behalf of 2nd GPM IW Participants 1 Resolution of 2 nd International Planning Workshop on Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) –

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May 22, 2002On Behalf of 2nd GPM IW Participants

Resolution of 2nd International Planning Workshopon Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) – V1[Sponsored by NASDA & NASA; May 20-22, 2002; Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo,

Japan]

Summary Resolution

“Be it r esolved that in recognition of the potential benefit to mankind in all regions of theworld, the participants of the 2nd International Planning Workshop on Global PrecipitationMeasurement (GPM) endorse the establishment of a GPM initiative. The participantsrespectfully submit that Japan’s National Space Development Agency and the US’s NationalAeronautics & S pace Administration should establish such an initiative with all dueexpedience. Furthermore, the participants invite and encourage all nations and th eir sisteragencies and institutions to cooperate and collaborate in this important undertaking.”

1. Background on GPM

The significant advances in understanding the global water cycle made by research institutionsand operational weather and climate forecasting agencies in recent years since the launch of theTropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), have r eaped science benefits far beyondTRMM’s original scientific objectives. In particular, significant advances that have been madein understanding the internal workings of storm systems have l ed to vital improvements inforecasting the development and behavior of hazardous precipitating storms. Moreover, theincreased quality of precipitation climatologies and th e far superior precipitation monitoringcapabilities of TRMM have led to better assessments of regional water utilization and betterquantification of availability of fresh water resources.

Not surprisingly, TRMM’s scientific program has spawned research worldwide across a diversecommunity of science disciplines. Such visibility has created a vision for the future in whichweather, climate, and hydrometeorological forecasts will become significantly more accurate.The recent launch of NASA’s Aqua satellite and the upcoming launch of NASDA’s ADEOS IIsatellite, each carrying a custom version of Japan’s Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer(AMSR), will enable continued research on precipitation measuring and applications.

However, the AMSR measurements by themselves are not sufficient for achieving the criticalsampling rate necessary to reduce overall forecast errors to levels envisioned and achievable by aprecipitation monitoring system that would correctly resolve the diurnal properties of rainfall andstorm life cycles. In essence, the critical threshold involves highly accurate, well calibrated,global measurements of rainfall on a 3-hour repeat cycle.

2. World Interest in GPM

In an endorsement by the Chairman of the World Meteorological Organization’s World ClimateResearch Program (WCRP), Dr. David Carson, who is the keynote speaker at this year’s GPMPlanning Workshop, cited GPM as a cen tral requirement for pursuing a scientific researchprogramme focused on t he global water and energy cycle (GWEC), which is one of WCRP’sprimary research agendas. GPM was also endorsed by Professor Soroosh Sorooshian, Chairmanof the international Scientific Steering Group (SSG) of the Global Energy & Water CycleExperiment (GEWEX) at the 16th Meeting of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project(GPCP), held at NASDA/EORC the week before the 2nd GPM workshop. Professor Sorooshian

forecast skill requirements. Representatives from the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), the USNational Weather Service (NWS), the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting(ECMWF), and the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) have been present and participated inthe GPM workshop -- with expectations that a global precipitation observing system capable of 3-hourrainfall will eventually emerge. Representatives from other operational weather forecasting agenciesaround the world also have attended the workshop and have reiterated a need for these kind of data.

Further evidence of the need for global precipitation data is highlighted by various independent satellitemissions under deve lopment that have the capability of producing high quality space-based rainfallestimates. These include: (1) the Megha Tropiques mission being developed as a partnership betweenthe Indian and French space agencies (ISRO & CNES) and focusing on b etter understanding of thevariability and predictability of the Asian monsoon, particularly its Indian ocean manifestations; (2) theEuro-GPM mission, just approved for Phase A study and being sponsored by t he European SpaceAgency (ESA), a mission which in synergy with other GPM mission elements will focus on variousaspects of global and regional water cycle processes including frozen precipitation measurement, flashflood prediction, and global and reg ional weather forecasting using data assimilation of satelliteprecipitation measurements by 4 -dimensional variational techniques; and ( 3) the FY-3 polar orbitingsatellite mission series of China which will involve the use of passive microwave radiometersincorporating channels at the fundamental rain measuring frequencies.

Also of note, at the February-2002 meeting in V ienna of t he United Nations Committee on P eacefulUses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Science and Technical Subcommittee, and the March-2002 meeting inNew York of COPUOS-PREPCOMM III, a number of nations expressed their desire for cooperativelysharing space-based rainfall and water management data to help advance the quality of life worldwide.

3. Potential for GPM

A global precipitation measurement program has the potential to save people’s lives and protect propertyon a scale never before realized. Scientists and mankind will better understand such phenomena asglobal scale El Niño/La Niña processes, regional scale Asian monsoon fluctuations, and l ocal scaletropical cyclone and severe storm life cycles including the value of quantitative precipitation forecasts(QPF) for improving emergency management procedures. As better knowledge of climate change,water cycle acceleration, weather forecasting, and fresh water management become a reality, our way oflife will be enhanced for the good of everyone, particularly those in water-stressed regions.

4. Leadership of GPM

Given the success of t he TRMM satellite as well as other satellite assets in place, Japan and t he USthrough their respective space agencies are ideal partners to lead the promotion and establishment of theGPM initiative. Through partnership and collaboration, other interested parties could be engaged.TRMM is an outstanding starting point from which an economical evolution to a GPM mission could beachieved. The hallmarks of such an initiative would be inclusion of all interested parties, advancementof knowledge, and broad use of the measurements for research and applications. In essence, a GPMmission would encourage the use of rainfall products and extend the benefits of precipitation knowledgeto mankind. As lofty as these goals may appear, they are all realizable via a well planned internationalprogram dedicated to working towards an operational global precipitation observing system.

Given the potential for advancement of scientific understanding and in recognition of the benefits that aGPM mission could bring to the world’s nations, it would be worthwhile to begin the GPM initiativesoon. This would allow the Earth science community to capitalize on existing passive microwave datastreams as well plan for an interim period during which the TRMM program is completed and a newCRL dual-frequency radar is being readied for anticipated flight on a primary GPM spacecraft.Together, NASDA and NASA could engage both research and operational user communities todetermine the best course of action, and to bring about harmony with other space agency partners toenable new understanding of the Earth’s water cycle and the precious rain upon which we all depend.

Resolution of 2nd International Planning Workshopon Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) – V1

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Resolution of 2nd International Planning Workshop onGlobal Precipitation Measurement (GPM) – V2

[Sponsored by NASDA & NASA; May 20-22, 2002; Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan]

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has gathered a body of evidence sufficient toconclude that the Earth’s climate has warmed over the last century. Although there are prevailingdebates as to the cause(s) of this warming, concerned scientists and policy makers have largelyconcurred that the warming process is real and that there are significant consequences both fromgeophysical and human impact perspectives. In pa rticular, climate warming begs the question ofwhether there exists a concomitant response within the global hydrological system -- tantamount to awater cycle acceleration, increased global rain rates, and greater frequency of ex treme precipitationevents. Although some evidence has been cited by the IPCC to suggest such an intensification of thewater cycle has taken place, the evidence is not conclusive and in fact presents the basis for scientificinquiry into the relationship between global warming and the rate at which water moves through theEarth-atmosphere system.

The dominant term in the global water cycle is precipitation. Most scientific specialists involved withthe study of precipitation and its role in weather, climate, and hydrometeorology recognize that we needsignificantly better global precipitation datasets to investigate how climate warming and water cyclebehavior are related. It is now evident that only a constellation of Earth-viewing satellites can acquirethese datasets globally, systematically, and accurately. Moreover, it is only through a vigorous programof research and applications that such a measuring program can lead to success in understanding how theEarth’s hydrological cycle functions within the domains of weather, climate, and hydrometeorology.

At the invitation of NASDA and NASA officials motivated by their agencies’ successful collaborationsinvolving the TRMM satellite and t he Aqua/ADEOS II AMSR instrument programs, a representativegroup of these scientists from a l arge number of nations has gathered in Tokyo t his week for the 2nd

International Planning Workshop on Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). The major element ofGPM planning involves developing a coord inated satellite constellation program based on usingmicrowave radiometers and radars to gather the needed rain data.

Along with some 200 scientists from many research institutions and operational forecasting agencies, anumber of space agencies are represented at the meeting including those from Brazil (BSA), Canada(CSA), China (CNSA), European Union (ESA), France (CNES), India (ISRO), Italy (ASI), Japan(NASDA), Korea (KARI), and the United States (NASA). All are prepared to move forward in acooperative effort to study precipitation and the global water cycle, and to begin addressing fundamentalquestions concerning how the global water cycle influences and responds to weather, climate, andhydrometeorology. The group is especially focused on developing a robust satellite measuring systemthat delivers high quality global precipitation measurements and enables better predictions of importantwater cycle processes, particularly (1) seasonal drought-flood conditions, (2) the behavior of tropicalcyclones and hazardous storms, (3) the consequential flooding outcomes of such storms, and (4) theavailability of fresh water resources modulated by storm frequency and intensity.

Attendees of the workshop have resolved that in recognition of the potential benefit to mankind in allregions of the world, that the concerned space agencies fully endorse the GPM program, developmentof the required satellite constellation system, and creation of s uitable research and app licationsinitiatives. The participants respectfully submit that the space agencies establish this program withall due expedience, and in so doing encourage other nations and their sister agencies and institutionsto cooperate and collaborate in this important undertaking.


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Over the last two decades, geophysical scientists have gathered a body of evidence sufficient toconclude that the Earth’s climate has warmed over the last century. Although there areprevailing debates as to the cause(s) of this warming, concerned scientists and policy makershave l argely concurred that the warming process is r eal and that there are significantconsequences both from geophysical and hu man impact perspectives. In particular, climatewarming begs the question of whether there exists a concomitant response within the globalhydrological system -- tantamount to a water cycle acceleration, increased global rain rates, andgreater frequency of extreme precipitation events. Although some evidence has been publishedto suggest such an intensification of the water cycle has taken place, the evidence is notconclusive. In fact, it presents the basis for scientific inquiry into the relationship between globalwarming and the rate at which water moves through the Earth-atmosphere system, as well as therelationship of storm-related weather systems to climate tendencies, and ultimately theoperational predictability of the hydrological cycle within weather and climate.

The dominant term in the global water cycle is precipitation. Most scientific specialists involvedwith the study of precipitation and its role in weather, climate, and hydrometeorology recognizethat we need significantly better global precipitation datasets to investigate how climate warmingand water cycle behavior are related. It is now evident that only a constellation of Earth-viewingsatellites can acquire these datasets globally, systematically, and accurately. Moreover, it is onlythrough a vigorous program of research and applications that such a measuring program can leadto successes in understanding how the Earth’s hydrological cycle functions within the domainsof weather, climate, and hydrometeorology.

At the invitation of NASDA and NASA, motivated by their successful collaborations involvingthe TRMM, Aqua, and ADEOS II satellite programs, a large group of scientists from a numberof nations have gathered in Tokyo this week for the 2nd In ternational Planning Workshop onGlobal Precipitation Measurement (GPM). The major element of GPM planning involvesdeveloping a coordinated satellite constellation program based on using microwave radiometersand radars to gather the needed rain data.

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Some 200 scientists from research institutions, operational forecasting agencies, and spac e agencieswere represented at the workshop. These included representatives from Canada (CSA), China(CMA/NSMC), the European Space Agency (ESA), France (CNES), India (IMD, ISRO), Indonesia(LAPAN), Italy (CNR), Japan (CRL, JMA, NASDA), Korea (KMA/MRI), United States (NASA,NOAA), and a number of other sovereign nations. Almost all are prepared to move forward in acooperative effort to study precipitation and the global water cycle, and to begin addressing fundamentalquestions concerning how the global water cycle influences and responds to weather, climate, andhydrometeorology. Almost all workshop participants wish to see the development of a robust satellitemeasuring system that delivers high quality global precipitation measurements and enables betterpredictions of important water cycle processes, particularly (1) seasonal drought-flood conditions, (2)the behavior of tropical cyclones and hazardous storms, (3) the consequential flooding outcomes of suchstorms, and (4) the availability of fresh water resources modulated by storm frequency and intensity.

Workshop participants resolved that in recognition of the potential benefit to mankind in all regionsof the world, that the concerned agencies and organizations support the GPM program, thedevelopment of the required satellite constellation system, and the creation of suitable research andapplications initiatives. They respectfully submit that the concerned agencies and organizations helpestablish this program with all due expedience, and enable other interested nations to cooperate andcollaborate in this important undertaking.

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3Recommendation of 2nd International Planning Workshop

on Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) – V4[Sponsored by NASDA & NASA; May 20-22, 2002; Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan]

Over the last two decades, geophysical scientists have gathered evidence sufficient to conclude that theEarth’s climate has warmed over the last century. Although there are prevailing debates as to the cause(s)of this warming, concerned scientists and policy makers have largely concurred that the warming processis real and that there are significant consequences both from geophysical and human impact perspectives.In particular, climate warming begs the question of whether there exists a concomitant response withinthe global hydrological system -- tantamount to a water cycle acceleration, increased global rain rates, andgreater frequency of e xtreme precipitation events. Although some evidence suggests such anintensification of the water cycle has taken place, the evidence is not conclusive. In fact, it presents thebasis for scientific inquiry into the relationship between global warming and the rate at which watermoves through the Earth-atmosphere system, as well as the relationship of storm-related weather systemsto climate, and ultimately the operational predictability of t he hydrological cycle within weather andclimate.

The dominant term in the global water cycle is precipitation. Most scientific specialists involved with thestudy of precipitation and its role in weather, climate, and hydrometeorology recognize that we n eedsignificantly better global precipitation datasets to investigate how climate warming and water cyclebehavior are related. It is now evident that only a constellation of Earth-viewing satellites can acquirethese datasets globally, systematically, and accurately. Moreover, it is only through a v igorous programof research and applications that such a m easuring program can lead to successes in understanding howthe Earth’s hydrological cycle functions within the domains of weather, climate, and hydrometeorology.

At the invitation of N ASDA and NASA, motivated by their successful collaborations involving theTRMM, Aqua, and ADEOS II satellite programs, a large group of scientists from a n umber of nationshave gathered in Tokyo this week for the 2nd In ternational Planning Workshop on Global PrecipitationMeasurement (GPM). The major element of GPM planning involves developing a coordinated satelliteconstellation program based on using microwave radiometers and radars to gather the needed rain data.The GPM mission concept has already been endorsed by the WMO’s Coordinated Group forMeteorological Satellites (CGMS) which helps provide operational satellite support to members nations.

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5Recommendation of 2nd International Planning Workshop

on Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) – V4[Sponsored by NASDA & NASA; May 20-22, 2002; Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan]

Some 200 scientists from research institutions, operational forecasting agencies, and space agencies wererepresented at the workshop. These included representatives from Australia (BOM), Canada (CSA, MSC),China (CMA/NSMC), the European Space Agency, France (CNES), India (IMD, ISRO), Indonesia (BMG,LAPAN), Italy (CNR), Japan (CRL, JMA, NASDA), Korea (KMA/MRI), South Africa (SAWS), Thailand(GISDA), United States (NASA, NOAA), Vietnam (HMS), and a number of other sovereign nations.Moreover, the Director of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) extended his endorsement of themission at t he workshop, coinciding with the workshop participants’ belief that the enhanced precipitationproducts from the GPM mission will directly address the high priority goals of the IGOS “Water Cycle Theme”,and the anticipated requirements of the “World Summit on Sustainable Development” in relation to global andregional water resources. Almost all workshop participants support a c ooperative effort to study precipitationand the global water cycle, and to begin addressing fundamental questions concerning how precipitationinfluences and responds to weather, climate, and hydrometeorology. These participants support thedevelopment of a satellite measuring system that delivers high quality global precipitation measurements andenables better predictions of important water cycle processes, particularly (1) seasonal drought-flood conditions,(2) the behavior of tropical cyclones and severe storms, (3) flooding from hazardous storms, and (4) theavailability of fresh water resources modulated by storm frequency and intensity.

Workshop participants recommend that in recognition of the potential benefit to mankind, that theconcerned agencies and organizations support the GPM program, the development of the requiredsatellite constellation system, and the creation of suitable research and applications initiatives. Theyrespectfully submit that the concerned agencies and organizations help establish this program withall due expedience, and enable other interested nations to cooperate and collaborate.

Documents

GPM May 22, 2002 On Behalf of 2nd GPM IW Participants 1 Resolution of 2 nd International Planning Workshop on Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) –