Nature’s Data and Data’s Nature

Technology provides us with immense capabilities of acquiring, processing, archiving, presenting and distributing environmental data and information in great quantities. However, a number of fundamental problems needs to be solved before this technology can contribute effectively to operational integrated environmental management.The paper first addresses the requirements for integrated environmental management and the resulting needs for data and informatioa Subsequently, it addresses the process of imaging Nature into a data system and then discusses some key aspects of such a data system. This will illustrate both the capabilities and limitations of current systems and will identify the needed developments.Finally, a vision is presented on a future operational integrated environmental data and information system. Suggestions are given as to the required elements of such a system. Ideas for pilot projects are proposed to implement, test and further develop the suggestions given. In due time a world-wide environmental information system may emerge.