NORTH51 Conference’s Post

Last week I gave a keynote at NORTH51 Conference making the case on why EO data should be considered a common good and made free/accessible to all. As all common goods before it - colonialism and capitalism, both the root causes of climate change, are entrenched in the industry and encroaching on these commons. A few of my points: 1. We need to start challenging claims of innovation and progress, as they can be an attempt of rebranding indigenous knowledge. We need to acknowledge the missionary overtones and savior complexes of technology evangelists. 2. Solving the climate crisis requires the integration of local voices and knowledge, this cannot be entirely scaled and achieved by any platform, algorithm or technology alone. The dominate economic forces have favored scaling as a means to become profitable. This has been elusive in our industry especially for downstream applications. Not honoring the locality aspect, forcing scaling, does not work in many senses. The underlying technology to work and process the data however, is scalable and I see the majority of contributions coming from open source communities which brings me to my next point... 3. I find hope and success in open source initiatives which foster diversity in many ways, and act as a meeting ground between many public and private efforts. There are always ways to improve, but I am not surprised when I see so much innovation coming out of these diverse communities despite difficulties in securing stable funding. I am looking forward to continue the discussions around new/alternative funding strategies for these efforts. 4. Lastly, we need to be able to have uncomfortable conversations. I heard many praises, but I also triggered and annoyed many others. I also received the most humbling feedback when Professor Steven Wofsy - Harvard professor, six decades in the field, co-initiator of MethaneSAT - came up to me and said it was the most courageous talk he's ever listened to. I am reminded that more than any other academic/career accolade, I want to be known as being brave in such a critical turning point of our time on Earth. Listening to the other presenters and panels through the conference, I walked away optimistic that many others feel this obligation to action. I hope these hard conversations allow us to move beyond cartesian ways of thinking and foster the collective action we need. Thank you Jonathan Neufeld Sarah Pryor Will Cadell for organizing such a great event and bonny mcclain🌍 for facilitating these types of discussions!

Rethinking the Global Superorganism The global economy has evolved into a dynamic, responsive framework that shapes technology, the environment, and society. It's time to federalize data across borders and sectors to unlock a deeper understanding of this planetary-scale "superorganism." Grounded in ecosystemic thinking, speculative design can uncover innovative pathways to overcome data silos. By envisioning alternative scenarios, we can discover new governance models, data-sharing protocols, and emergent technologies like synthetic data to enhance transparency and equity. Ultimately, this approach can help us cultivate planetary intelligence - guiding the evolution of the global superorganism towards a more sustainable, resilient future for all. Who's ready to rethink the economy and data's role in shaping our shared reality? https://lnkd.in/dyWaCvTr #dataFederalization #planetaryIntelligence #speculativeDesign #sustainability #futureofdata

While the global economy has become a planetary-scale "superorganism," our data remains siloed and fragmented. Without federated insights, we're flying blind into the post-stable climate era, unable to comprehend the true state of our interconnected ecosystems. The 1.5°C target is slipping away, yet we lack the integrated data and systemic understanding to chart an effective course. #dataFederalization #climateResilience #ecosystemCollapse #speculativeDesign #planetaryIntelligence

Surviving and Thriving: The Urgent Need for an Operational Global Earth Observation System In our rapidly changing world, humanity faces an unprecedented challenge: adapting to the dramatic shifts in our planet's ecosystems. To ensure our survival and prosperity, we must not only adjust to these changes but also intervene when necessary. This begs the question: How can we effectively monitor and respond to these global transformations? Imagine a world where we could tap into a vast, real-time network of geographical information at any moment, from anywhere on Earth. This isn't science fiction – it's a critical need for our future. Such a system would allow us to detect changes as they happen, track the dynamics of our environment, and evaluate the impact of our policy decisions with unprecedented accuracy and speed. The United Nations Spatial Data Infrastructure (UNSDI) initiative envisioned this global information powerhouse, but unfortunately, it stalled in the planning stages. However, the dream isn't dead – it's more crucial now than ever before. Over the past decades, our brilliant scientific community has developed a treasure trove of algorithms and models ready to be implemented in an operational system. But here's where we hit a snag: scientists excel at research and development, not at packaging their innovations into user-friendly, standardized systems that can operate 24/7 on a global scale. This is where we need a new breed of innovators – individuals with a different psychological profile who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical, operational systems. These unsung heroes of implementation are out there, waiting to be engaged in an active development process. The UNSDI laid out the blueprint, but creating a worldwide infrastructure of this magnitude is no small feat. Yet, it's a challenge we must rise to if we hope to tackle sustainability issues effectively. In fact, this global Earth observation system isn't just helpful – it's indispensable for our future. Are you intrigued? Do you want to be part of this world-changing initiative? Listen to this podcast to dive deeper into the subject, and consider how you might contribute to this vital cause or help spread the word. The future of our planet may depend on it! So follow this link: https://lnkd.in/evaNq2mB

Satellite Earth observation (EO) technologies are changing climate intelligence and offering essential information into our changing environment. A new World Economic Forum white paper, produced in collaboration with MIT Media Lab explores the role of complementary technologies can help transform this data into actionable insights. Through this combination of technology, we can drive innovation, and enable more timely action on our changing planet. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gGc7dNUj

The key to unblock an additional $700 billion/year (GDP of Switzerland) AND reduce 2 gigatons/year of GHG (same as stopping all flights) with Space Satellites is more operational pragmatism, more collaboration and vastly more awareness of what space can actually do. That's my take away of this WEF report I contributed to. [p. 4,5,28,33]

🌎 Climate data and analytics are at an inflection point, powered by advances in data quality, connectivity, and affordability. Mercy Corps Ventures new publication, Advancing Climate Resilience in Emerging Markets, explores: - 🛠️ Recent innovations positioning data & AI as climate resilience tools - 📈 Key trends for the coming decade and the challenges ahead We’ve seen this firsthand since 2018 with early investments in PULA, Meridia, Floodbase, and ignitia. Each was ahead of its time, understanding the crucial role data would play in climate resilience. They’ve since grown exponentially, securing additional funding and scaling partnerships across continents. This series captures insights from these trailblazers and many others – 30 companies in total including Fibrazo, Satellites on Fire, tappi. A collaborative effort to better understand how data can drive climate resilience. Check out the report https://lnkd.in/e_qihMj2. 📍 Reach out if you have insights to share or ideas to collaborate

🌍 Unlock the Power of Remote Sensing: Transform Data into Actionable Insights 🌍 In today's rapidly evolving world, remote sensing technology is revolutionizing how we understand and manage our environment. Whether it's monitoring deforestation, predicting crop yields, or assessing the impacts of climate change, remote sensing offers unparalleled insights that drive informed decision-making. At the Association of Coding, Technology, and Genomics (ACTG), we're excited to share our latest article on how remote sensing transforms environmental data into actionable strategies. Learn how this cutting-edge technology is harnessed to address some of the most pressing global challenges. 🔗 Read more: [Unlocking the Power of Remote Sensing of Environment](https://lnkd.in/gnDDkDgW) #RemoteSensing #EnvironmentalData #ClimateChange #Sustainability #ACTG #DataScience #Innovation

Loving the #strategicforesight theme here at the opening keynote for #SIGGRAPH2024. “What does my desirable technological future look like?” was an earlier question posed by the conference chair. #DesirableFutures | #Foresight | #NewThings Kind regards, Dale Principal, Mobility Foresight

3.8 trillion USD - that's the economic value that Earth Observation could drive globally by 2030*. But the benefits of using EO data go far beyond the financial. Initially used primarily by public institutions and government agencies, Earth Observation is now becoming more attractive to commercial entities. Why is this? Because of the impact on environmental and ESG goals. Get in touch with CloudFerro S.A. experts and explore the potential for your business! #EO #EarthObservation * Amplifying the Global Value of Earth Observation, World Economic Forum