Landsats Aff

AT: International CP – Fails – Tech

International agents fail – no tech
Behrens 10 (Carl E., Specialist in Energy Policy for the Congressional Research Service, Sept 17, http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40594.pdf, accessed 7-3-11, JMB)

Some Landsat product users have suggested that moderate resolution optical imaging satellites of other nations may supply data to fill the anticipated Landsat gap. A review of this option in the FLI-IWG report indicates that the global coverage of the Landsat orbiters and their ground-based receivers could not be duplicated by foreign moderate resolution satellites, but they could provide a partial, short-term fix to limit losses of some Landsat data and imagery.10 A Landsat Data Gap Study team formed by USGS and NASA in 2005 found that no international satellite program, current or planned, has the onboard recording capacity, the direct receiving station network, and the data production systems to routinely perform the full Landsat mission.11 The Data Gap Study team did conclude, however, that capturing and archiving data from comparable systems could reduce the impact of a data gap. It identified sensors aboard India’s ResourceSat satellite and the China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) as the most promising sources of Landsat-like data. USGS is pursuing the options with a Landsat Data Gap Implementation Plan, to identify costs and accessibility and the technical process of integrating data from other sources into the existing framework.12

AT: International CP – Credibility

International agents reduce the credibility of data
US Chamber of Commerce No Date (Space Enterprise Council, After August 13, 2004, White Paper, “Landsat: The Next Generation” Exhibit 6 of “A PLAN FOR A U.S. NATIONAL LAND IMAGING PROGRAM” http://www.landimaging.gov/fli_iwg_report_print_ready_low_res.pdf, accessed 7-3-11, JMB)

As the politics, economics and ultimately consequences of global environmental changes become more critical in international relations, the U.S. Government would be ill advised to become dependent on a foreign entity to 68 ensure the calibration, accuracy and integrity of the world’s most reputable source for global earth monitoring data. While the level of contribution to global environmental changes caused by what is referred to as the human dimensions may be in dispute, the fact our earth is changing is not. Landsat is the only undisputedly credible system the world has depended on for data that now has a 30-year archive. Changing to a foreign system increases the risk that anomalies in the data really attributable to artifacts of the different instruments are misinterpreted.

AT: International CP – US Key – Earth Observation

US key to leading earth observation initiatives
EPA 11(1/25, http://www.epa.gov/geoss/fact_sheets/earthobservation.html, accessed 7-9-11, CH)

Over the next decade, a global Earth Observation System will revolutionize our understanding of the Earth and how it works. With benefits as broad as the planet itself, U.S.-led initiative promises to make peoples and economies around the globe healthier, safer and better equipped to manage basic daily needs. The aim is to make 21st century technology as interrelated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects, providing the science on which sound policy and decision-making must be built. Building an integrated, comprehensive and sustained global Earth Observation System opens a world of possibilities. Imagine a world in which we could: Forecast next winter's weather months in advance Predict where and when malaria, West Nile virus, SARS and other diseases are likely to strike Reduce U.S. energy costs by about $1 billion yearly More effectively monitor forest fires and predict the effect of air quality on sensitive populations in near real-time Provide farmers with immediate forecasts essential to maximizing crops yields Predict the pattern of the North American monsoon -- Arizona derives two-thirds of its water from the monsoon weather pattern Global architecture that reflects how our world actually works is key to making such visions operational.

US lead GEOSS, support for observation satellites key to maintaining leadership
Williamson 5 (Prof @GWU Space Policy Institute, Space Ref, 4/28, http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=16385, accessed 7-9-11, CH)

Having established its leadership in GEOSS, the United States must now follow through on its implementation. This will require sufficient funding for the U.S. effort, the Integrated Earth Observation System (IEOS) both in continuing NASA's Earth science program at a robust level, and in supporting the involvement of other agencies in the endeavor. As noted in a recent report by the American Meteorological Society, "there will have to be a long-term robust research program designed to add value to the operation of IEOS." [4] Such support should also include research on the expected benefits from such expenditures and sustained efforts to include the inputs of information users�the final stakeholders in the IEOS process. After all, there is only so much public money to go around, especially in an era of increasing budget deficits, and understanding the areas likely to return the greatest benefits will help NASA managers and Congress make better funding decisions among the many worthy research projects and proposals.

AT: International CP – US Key – Water Wars

US key to promoting Middle Eastern stability—promoting water and refugee aid now
The White House 99 (http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/nss/nssr-1299.pdf, accessed 7-9-11, CH)

On the Palestinian front, Israelis and Palestinians are turning to the core issues that have defined their conflict for the past fifty years, seeking to build a lasting peace based on partnership and cooperation. They have agreed to seek to reach a permanent status agreement by September 2000 and the United States will do everything within its power to help them achieve that goal. At the same time, both sides will continue to implement the remaining issues in the Interim Agreement, the Wye River Memorandum, and the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement. Our goal remains the normalization of relations between Israel and all Arab states. Through the multilateral working groups on security, refugees, water and the environment, we are seeking to promote regional cooperation to address transboundary environmental issues that affect all parties.