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Actionable Science of Global Environment Change

From Big Data to Practical Research

  • 2023
  • Book

About this book

This volume teaches readers how to sort through the vast mountain of climate and environmental science data to extract actionable insights. With the advancements in sensing technology, we now observe petabytes of data related to climate and the environment. While the volume of data is impressive, collecting big data for the sake of data alone proves to be of limited utility. Instead, our quest is for actionable data that can drive tangible actions and meaningful impact.

Yet, unearthing actionable insights from the accumulated big data and delivering them to global stakeholders remains a burgeoning field. Although traditional data mining struggles to keep pace with data accumulation, scientific evolution has spurred the emergence of new technologies like numeric modeling and machine learning. These cutting-edge tools are now tackling grand challenges in climate and the environment, from forecasting extreme climate events and enhancing environmental productivity to monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, fostering smart environmental solutions, and understanding aerosols. Additionally, they model environmental-human interactions, inform policy, and steer markets towards a healthier and more environment-friendly direction.

While there's no universal solution to address all these formidable tasks, this book takes us on a guided journey through three sections, enriched with chapters from domain scientists. Part I defines actionable science and explores what truly renders data actionable. Part II showcases compelling case studies and practical use scenarios, illustrating these principles in action. Finally, Part III provides an insightful glimpse into the future of actionable science, focusing on the pressing climate and environmental issues we must confront.

Embark on this illuminating voyage with us, where big data meets practical research, and discover how our collective efforts move us closer to a sustainable and thriving future. This book is an invitation to unlock the mysteries of our environment, transforming data into decisive action for generations to come.

Table of Contents

  1. Frontmatter

  2. Chapter 1. What Is “Actionable” Science for Climate and Environment?

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter delves into the concept of 'actionable' science, highlighting the need for scientific research to address real-world climate and environmental challenges. It discusses the shift towards data-driven, interdisciplinary science and the challenges faced by scientists in making their research actionable. The text introduces a mathematical model for evaluating the actionability of science projects and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between scientists, stakeholders, and the public. It also provides practical examples and case studies to illustrate the principles of actionable science. The chapter aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world decision-making, offering guidance on how to make scientific insights more accessible and applicable to practical problems.
  3. Chapter 2. Data Foundation for Actionable Science

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter 'Data Foundation for Actionable Science' delves into the essential role of high-quality data in climate and environmental research. It introduces various data categories such as satellite, in situ, model simulation, citizen science, and social media data, and discusses their availability and advantages. The text emphasizes the importance of data collection, storage, and processing in an accessible, transparent, and replicable manner. It also highlights the challenges in data access, sharing, and funding, as well as the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical considerations. The chapter provides guidelines on best practices in data management, preprocessing, cleaning, integration, and continuous operation and maintenance, aiming to ensure that climate and environmental research is based on sound scientific data. It concludes by outlining the challenges faced by the data community and the need for collective efforts to address these issues for the success of actionable science. This chapter is a must-read for professionals seeking to understand the data foundation required for effective climate and environmental research.
  4. Chapter 3. Technology Landscape for Making Climate and Environmental Science “Actionable”

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter delves into the diverse technologies driving actionable climate science, including remote sensing, data management systems, and advanced modeling tools. It discusses how these technologies enable the collection, analysis, and interpretation of climate data, facilitating informed decision-making and policy development. The text also explores emerging technologies like AI and machine learning, which are revolutionizing the way we predict and respond to climate change. By highlighting real-world applications and addressing challenges, the chapter offers a compelling narrative on the future of climate science and its potential to drive sustainable environmental management.
  5. Chapter 4. Actionable Science for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

    Bhargavi Janga, Ziheng Sun, Gokul Prathin Asamani
    The chapter delves into the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate global warming and climate change. It highlights the significant role of various industries and sectors, including energy, transportation, and agriculture, in contributing to and addressing these emissions. The text discusses innovative solutions such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, renewable energy targets, and emission standards. It also explores the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks in driving emission reduction efforts. The chapter emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and practical implementation of scientific research to achieve sustainable and effective emission reduction strategies.
  6. Chapter 5. Actionable Science for Hurricane

    Ziheng Sun, Qian Huang
    The chapter 'Actionable Science for Hurricane' delves into the critical role of scientific research in preparing for and responding to hurricanes, a significant natural hazard affecting societies worldwide. It begins by introducing the devastating impact of hurricanes, using Hurricane Dorian as a case study to illustrate the extensive damage and loss of life they can cause. The text then explores the various scientific disciplines and technologies employed in hurricane forecasting and response, emphasizing the importance of accurate predictions and timely warnings. It highlights the collaboration between scientists, emergency management agencies, and local communities in assessing damage, prioritizing relief efforts, and enhancing community resilience. The chapter also discusses the challenges in translating scientific research into actionable measures, including the need for better communication and the integration of local knowledge. It concludes by providing suggestions for making hurricane research more actionable and highlighting successful use cases where science has been effectively applied in hurricane management. Throughout, the chapter emphasizes the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of involving local communities in preparedness and response efforts.
  7. Chapter 6. Actionable Science for Wildfire

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter 'Actionable Science for Wildfire' delves into the multifaceted dangers posed by wildfires, ranging from human safety and economic losses to ecological damage. It underscores the critical role of science in understanding fire behavior, predicting fire spread, and developing effective management strategies. The text explores the successes and failures of integrating scientific research into practical firefighting and prevention methods, highlighting the importance of actionable science. It also discusses the challenges faced in wildfire management, such as limited resources, climate change, and the dynamic nature of wildfires. The chapter emphasizes the need for collaboration between scientists, firefighters, and communities to enhance wildfire resilience and outlines suggestions for improving the actionableness of wildfire research. Additionally, it provides real-world examples of successful science-based approaches in wildfire management, showcasing the potential of actionable science in mitigating the impacts of wildfires.
  8. Chapter 7. Actionable Science for Sea Level Rise

    Ziheng Sun
    Sea level rise, a pressing concern in the context of global climate change, is driven by thermal expansion of seawater and melting glaciers and ice sheets. This chapter delves into the intricate processes behind sea level rise, its significant impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems, and the critical role of science in monitoring, predicting, and mitigating these changes. It highlights the need for actionable science to inform policy decisions and adaptation strategies, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement. The chapter also explores innovative approaches to coastal management, such as coastal wetland restoration, managed retreat, and nature-based infrastructure, providing real-world case studies and best practices. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and gaps in current research and the ethical considerations involved in decision-making processes. By offering a holistic view of sea level rise and its mitigation, this chapter aims to inspire and guide professionals in their efforts to build resilient coastal communities.
  9. Chapter 8. Actionable Science for Irrigation

    Hui Fang
    The chapter 'Actionable Science for Irrigation' delves into the intricate world of irrigation, emphasizing the importance of controlled water application for agricultural purposes. It begins by explaining the basics of irrigation, including the physical properties of soil and the movement of water through it. The chapter then explores various types of irrigation systems, such as flood, sprinkler, and drip irrigation, each with its unique advantages and challenges. It also discusses deficit irrigation, a strategy that involves intentionally applying less water than the crop’s full requirement to optimize water use. The chapter highlights the role of different stakeholders, including farmers, irrigation companies, water management agencies, and researchers, in making informed irrigation decisions. It provides a glimpse into the daily activities of farmers during the irrigation season, showcasing their meticulous approach to managing water resources. Additionally, the chapter discusses how governments and water managers allocate water and implement regulations to ensure sustainable practices. Cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, nanotechnology, and soil amendments is presented, along with their potential and challenges in improving irrigation efficiency. Successful use cases of science in irrigation, such as improving irrigation efficiency using remote sensing and soil moisture data, are highlighted. The chapter concludes by suggesting improvements for scientists, farmers, and government entities to enhance the actionability of research findings in practical irrigation practices. This chapter is a must-read for those interested in the latest advancements in irrigation technology and the future of sustainable water management in agriculture.
  10. Chapter 9. Actionable Science for Snow Monitoring and Response

    Gokul Prathin Asamani, Ziheng Sun
    The chapter begins by emphasizing the critical role of snow in sustaining human society and the necessity for actionable science to bridge the gap between research and practical application. It delves into current practices in snow monitoring, including advanced tools like LiDAR and satellite-based sensors, and discusses the challenges and complexities of snowstorm forecasting and response. The text also highlights the importance of collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and local communities in developing effective snow management strategies. Additionally, it explores the unique challenges and adaptations of snow-dependent communities, such as the Sami people and mountain farmers, and the innovative solutions they employ. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for actionable science and providing a playbook for enhancing the relevance and application of snow research findings.
  11. Chapter 10. Toward More Actionable Vulnerability Indices for Global Environmental Change

    Elia Axinia Machado
    The chapter 'Toward More Actionable Vulnerability Indices for Global Environmental Change' delves into the significance of vulnerability indices (VIs) in understanding and mitigating the impacts of global environmental change (GEC). It highlights the extensive modification of terrestrial ecosystems by human activities, leading to increased warming and loss of natural ecosystems. With the global population surpassing eight billion, the negative impacts of GEC are becoming more urgent. The chapter discusses various methodological approaches to constructing VIs, emphasizing the importance of robust and rigorous methodologies, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. It also addresses the challenges and limitations in VI construction, such as the complexity of vulnerability, cross-scalar interactions, and the need for validation. The chapter provides step-by-step guidelines for constructing a VI, including selecting a vulnerability framework, defining the scale of analysis, operationalizing the framework, scaling data indicators, specifying weighting schemes, aggregating data, performing sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and evaluating and validating index results. Additionally, it explores the communication and representation of VI results through mapping and other visualization techniques. The chapter aims to enhance the usefulness of VIs in research and policy, offering best-practice guidelines while acknowledging the challenges and limitations in their construction.
  12. Chapter 11. Actionable Science in Environmental Health

    Qian Huang, Diego F. Cuadros, Ziheng Sun
    Actionable Science in Environmental Health delves into the complex interplay between human health and the environment, focusing on the adverse effects of air pollution, waterborne diseases, vector-borne diseases, and chemical exposure-related diseases. It discusses the intricate interactions between environmental factors and human health, highlighting the need for actionable measures to address these issues. The chapter also explores the use of data-driven research and advanced technologies such as precision environmental health, environmental epigenetics, nanotechnology for water purification, and bioelectrochemical systems for waste treatment. A successful use case of a community air quality monitoring dashboard in Cheverly, Maryland, is presented, illustrating how actionable science can be applied to mitigate environmental health risks. The chapter concludes by discussing the challenges and future directions in the implementation of actionable environmental health strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, research, and investment in promoting public health and safeguarding the environment.
  13. Chapter 12. Actionable AI for Climate and Environment

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter delves into the transformative power of AI in climate and environmental science, showcasing its applications in areas such as climate modeling, natural disaster prediction, and conservation efforts. It discusses the challenges faced by AI models in these domains, including data limitations, interpretability issues, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The text also highlights the importance of making AI more actionable and practical for real-world decision-making, providing insights and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, it explores the potential future of Earth AI, envisioning a world where AI-driven solutions revolutionize environmental monitoring, resource management, and climate change mitigation.
  14. Chapter 13. Actionable Environmental Science Through Social Media Platforms

    Tao Hu, Xiao Huang, Siqin Wang
    The chapter delves into the transformative potential of social media in environmental science, highlighting its role in gauging public awareness and opinions on environmental change. It discusses the prevalence and impact of misinformation on social media and proposes strategies to counteract it. Additionally, the chapter introduces tools and applications for collecting and analyzing social media data, emphasizing their importance in informing environmental policies and actions. The text also explores how social media can be utilized to mobilize action on environmental issues, from organizing events to sharing sustainable living tips. Throughout, the chapter underscores the need for targeted communication, collaboration, and real-time monitoring to effectively address environmental challenges.
  15. Chapter 14. Ethics and Accountability of Science in Action

    Ziheng Sun
    The chapter delves into the critical ethical and accountability issues faced by scientists and decision-makers in climate and environmental science. It highlights the need for transparency, data sharing, and robust peer review processes to ensure the reliability and validity of scientific findings. The text also discusses the ethical challenges posed by AI applications in climate science, such as biases and lack of explainability, and emphasizes the importance of fairness and accountability in human subject research. Furthermore, it explores the ethical considerations for stakeholders and users, including the need for transparent communication, fairness in risk distribution, and the responsible use of science advice. The chapter concludes by underscoring the importance of ethical leadership and professional conduct in fostering an environment of integrity and trust in the scientific community.
  16. Backmatter

Title
Actionable Science of Global Environment Change
Editor
Ziheng Sun
Copyright Year
2023
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-41758-0
Print ISBN
978-3-031-41757-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41758-0

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