The 70th International Astronautical Congress — IAC 2019 — occurs from October 21 to 25 in Washington D.C.

Dr. Neil Jacobs.

A Highlight Lecture by Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on the topic of 'Monitoring Coastal Waters from Space – Highlighting the Chesapeake Bay Region: Dramatic Advances Enable Better Understanding and Protection of these Vital Ecosystems, and their Immense Coastal Populations and Infrastructure," will be held on Wednesday, October 23, from 1900 to 1945 hours.

Earth’s coasts play an ever-increasing role in the economy of nations, ecology of oceans and health of both. Nearly 40 percent of the world’s human population lives within 100 km. of a coast and coastal waters are critically important for fisheries, aquaculture, recreation, transportation and tourism. Yet, the coastal waters are under severe stress.

This meeting of fresh water, salt water and land therefore becomes a vital junction of ecologic and economic policy, public safety and climate. All must be balanced for a healthy ecosystem, economy and society. Advances in the ability to monitor coastal areas from space, and effectively use that information for policy making, public safety, infrastructure protection, coastal and ecosystem management, is critical to achieve the healthy balance.

Highlighting the Chesapeake Bay area surrounding Washington D.C., this session will reveal how Earth Observations from space are advancing to meet information needs to address coastal challenges for societal benefit.