    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 31, 2003]
    [Page 971]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Earth Observation Summit
    July 31, 2003

        The United States is pleased to host more than 30 nations at the
    Earth Observation Summit. The Summit participants will discuss plans for
    achieving the goal of building a better integrated Earth observation
    system in the next 10 years, an objective established by the G-8 heads
    of state in Evian, France, in June 2003. An integrated Earth observation
    system will benefit people around the world, particularly those in the
    Southern Hemisphere. Working together, our nations will develop and link
    observation technologies for tracking weather and climate changes in
    every corner of the world, which will allow us to make more informed
    decisions affecting our environment and economies. Our cooperation will
    enable us to develop the capability to predict droughts, prepare for
    weather emergencies, plan and protect crops, manage coastal areas and
    fisheries, and monitor air quality.