The basic objective as set out in the Washington Summit Declaration is: "to monitor continuously the state of the Earth, to increase understanding of dynamic Earth processes, to enhance prediction of the Earth system, and to further implement our international environmental treaty obligations."

As described in the Draft, "The GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan defines a sequence of actions and responsibilities" for achieving this vision.

At face value, this initiative has noble purposes. As introduced in the Framework Document for a 10-Year Implementation Plan: "Understanding the Earth system -- its weather, climate, oceans, land, geology, natural resources, ecosystems, and natural and human-induced hazards -- is crucial to enhancing human health, safety and welfare; alleviating human suffering including poverty; protecting the global environment; and achieving sustainable development. Data collected and information created from Earth observations constitute a critical input for advancing this understanding."

Still, the notion of the world's powers combining observation systems may raise "Big Brother" concerns, especially when viewed in the light of oncoming technological developments allowing tiny sensors to form spontaneous communications networks. There are no apparent limits on the sharing and using of this information; rather, the Plan's focus is more on removing restraints. The Plan stipulates: "Use of data or products does not necessarily imply agreement with, or endorsement of the purpose behind the gathering of such data." This language would seem to allow "data laundering."