European space and industry officials have begun laying the groundwork for an environmental monitoring and disaster-warning network that could rival the planned Galileo navigation satellite system in size and complexity. Dubbed GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), the network has been under discussion since 1998 but is only now beginning to be fleshed out. Driving forces behind it include the Kyoto Protocol and associated environmental treaties, and the need for regular, reliable data to combat environmental degradation, human health and security problems and natural hazards, as well as to manage humanitarian relief missions, said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin.
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