MEDIA RELEASE

World experts on Earth and extra-terrestrial observations gather in Australia to discuss the future of our planet

The world’s leading scientists, engineers and decision-makers in remote sensing will gather at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Melbourne, Australia from Sunday 21st July til Friday 26th July for the 33rd International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS 2013).

Held annually, this year’s event draws more than 1300 experts from 66 countries to present and learn of the latest advances in remote sensing and its applications across meteorology, forests, agriculture, emergency response, water management, oceans and much more, within this year’s theme of ‘Building a Sustainable Earth Through Remote Sensing’.

Australia lends genuine world strength in the applied use of remote sensing technologies with more than 100 active Federal and State government programs, not to mention its universities and the private sector. With an Australian investment of $950 million per annum on Earth observations, including associated data processing and programs, the country's direct dependence on Earth observation data is estimated to contribute more than $3 billion per year its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). And, with the recent release of Australia's Satellite Utilisation Policy, Australia will play a stronger role in this area of science in the years to come, with an expected GDP contribution of up to $12 billion by the year 2030. Some of the key Australian organisations include: CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, Bureau of Meteorology and ESRI.

Some of the experts on hand at IGARSS 2013 have led projects including: tracing pollution in the Great Barrier Reef; predicting droughts, floods and fires; and mapping the topography of the Pacific Islands to prepare for sea-level rise, to name just a few.

Media invitations

• World-leading experts will be available for one-on-one interviews around their plenary addresses on Monday 22 July (actual plenaries are between 11am-12:15pm). These speakers will discuss how satellite monitoring of the earth is vital to our way of life in terms of agriculture, preparing for natural disasters, global change and world heritage; the key role of severe weather forecasts and warnings; new remote sensing products; environmental monitoring and management of water resources; and the rapid developments of remote sensing and geoscience in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

Speaker biographies are at: http://www.igarss2013.org/Keynote_Speakers.asp.

Other experts are also available on the day, and throughout the week.

• Journalists are welcome on a full-day technical tour, supporting the communities of the Victoria Central Highlands ‘Black Saturday’ region on Wednesday 24 July. Ewan Waller, a Chief Fire Officer who was on duty during the event that caused the devastation, will lead the talks on the day, focusing on the mapping and monitoring technologies used during the fires, with tours throughout the affected region and engagement with the local community members over lunch (provided). Places are strictly limited, so please email the Media Manager on the details below to secure a seat and to receive further information.

Members of the media attending any of the events throughout the week also have access to a media working room, in addition to all sessions. For security reasons, journalists are required to register for their complimentary pass at the media room on-site with their credentials. To save time, please pre-register by email to the Media Manager (contact details below). Remote media will have access to all media materials, as well as the full assistance of the on-site Media Manager.

Hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - which has 430,000 members and is the largest professional society in the world - this is only the second time Australia has held the event, the first time being in Sydney, 2001.

From an international perspective, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), Canadian Space Agency, Chinese Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, British-based Surrey Satellite Technology, German-based Rapid Eye and two leading commercial Earth observation satellite companies, Astrium and Digital Globe, will also be in attendance.