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Lifting the Information Barriers to Address Sustainability Challenges with Data from Physical Geography and Earth Observation

Author

Listed:
  • Anthony Lehmann

    (enviroSPACE, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Bd. Carl-Vogt, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer

    (Natural Capital Project, Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Martin Lacayo

    (enviroSPACE, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Bd. Carl-Vogt, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Grégory Giuliani

    (enviroSPACE, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Bd. Carl-Vogt, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    GRID-Geneva, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Bd. Carl-Vogt, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • David Thau

    (Google, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA)

  • Kevin Koy

    (Berkeley Institute for Data Science, University of California, Berkeley, 190 Doe Library, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Grace Goldberg

    (Marine Science Institute, University California of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6150, USA)

  • Richard Sharp Jr.

    (Natural Capital Project, Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

Abstract

Sustainability challenges demand solutions, and the pace of technological and scientific advances in physical geography and Earth observation have great potential to provide the information needed to address these challenges. This paper highlights five online tools and initiatives that are lifting barriers to address these challenges. The enviroGRIDS project in the Black Sea catchment demonstrates how the use of spatial data infrastructures can facilitate data sharing. Google Earth Engine is providing solutions to challenges of processing big data into usable information. Additionally, application programming interfaces allow outsiders to elaborate and iterate on programs to explore novel uses of data and models, as seen in the Berkeley Ecoinformatics Engine. Finally, collaborative mapping tools, such as Seasketch/MarineMap and the InVEST software suite, allow engagement within and between groups of experts and stakeholders for the development, deployment, and long-term impact of a project. Merging these different experiences can set a new standard for online information tools supporting sustainable development from evidence brought by physical geography combined with socioeconomic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony Lehmann & Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer & Martin Lacayo & Grégory Giuliani & David Thau & Kevin Koy & Grace Goldberg & Richard Sharp Jr., 2017. "Lifting the Information Barriers to Address Sustainability Challenges with Data from Physical Geography and Earth Observation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:858-:d:99084
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Charalampos Skoulikaris & Yannis Krestenitis, 2020. "Cloud Data Scraping for the Assessment of Outflows from Dammed Rivers in the EU. A Case Study in South Eastern Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Gregory Giuliani & Elvire Egger & Julie Italiano & Charlotte Poussin & Jean-Philippe Richard & Bruno Chatenoux, 2020. "Essential Variables for Environmental Monitoring: What Are the Possible Contributions of Earth Observation Data Cubes?," Data, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Shushanik Asmaryan & Vahagn Muradyan & Garegin Tepanosyan & Azatuhi Hovsepyan & Armen Saghatelyan & Hrachya Astsatryan & Hayk Grigoryan & Rita Abrahamyan & Yaniss Guigoz & Gregory Giuliani, 2019. "Paving the Way towards an Armenian Data Cube," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Mary Thornbush, 2017. "Physical Geography and Environmental Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-5, November.
    5. Gregory Giuliani & Gilberto Camara & Brian Killough & Stuart Minchin, 2019. "Earth Observation Open Science: Enhancing Reproducible Science Using Data Cubes," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-6, November.
    6. Thomas Bolognesi & Andrea K. Gerlak & Gregory Giuliani, 2018. "Explaining and Measuring Social-Ecological Pathways: The Case of Global Changes and Water Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Gregory Giuliani & Joan Masó & Paolo Mazzetti & Stefano Nativi & Alaitz Zabala, 2019. "Paving the Way to Increased Interoperability of Earth Observations Data Cubes," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-23, July.

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