A Decadal Survey Without Analogs: Earth Observation Needs for a Warming World

Since 2007, the National Academy for Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has recommended Earth Science research and investment priorities every 10 years. The Decadal Survey balances the continuation of essential climate variable time series against unmet measurement needs and new Earth Observations made possible by technological breakthroughs. The next survey (2027–2028, DS28) will be framed by a rapidly changing world, and it will be critical to anticipate the observational needs of the 2030s–2040s, a world increasingly dominated by climate extremes and a rapidly changing Earth system. Here, we highlight some of the changes that factor into a framework for the DS28. Plain Language Summary Here, we highlight some of the Earth system changes in the 2030–2050 period that factor into a framework for the DS28. Key Points Climate change Satellite mission priorities Decadal survey observable objectives