Conference Tidbits

The primary focus of the rest of the conference was on real-world environmental forecasting approaches. Coming on the heels of the Indian Ocean tsunami, it was easy to admit that an effective warning system would save thousands of lives in developing nations that are vulnerable to natural disasters. Just compare the loss of life in Haiti versus Florida from last year's hurricanes.

Plenary sessions featured presentations from such notables as Dr. James Baker, former Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey Director Charles Groat, and Thomas Lovejoy, president of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment.

One of the most interesting addresses was by ESRI founder Jack Dangermond, who outlined advances in geographic information systems (GIS) technology, some of which are mind boggling. Dangermond speaks of GIS as an entirely new language that builds on the language of geography. GIS integrates data and work flows in order to advance science. It is providing a framework for interpreting and building on existing knowledge that will be helpful in a myriad of ways.

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