In advancing the goal of achieving sustainable development around the world, Rio de Janeiro will host the 20th annual United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil from June 20-22.
Rio+20 Conference Centers on Seven Issues
A SEAD of Sustainable Growth
A project called SEAD, for Sustainable Environment-Actionable Data, aims to create a system for scientists to share their data across disciplines.
Alex Steffen says Earth Observation is part of Worldchanging
Alex Steffen, keynote speaker at the IEEE Professional Communication Society conference at the University of Cincinnati, says small steps can result in big changes, and we need to better educate the public on scientific findings that demonstrate the need for action.
3 Billion More Mouths to Feed
– New projections put the earth’s population at 10 billion in 2100.
The Human Security Index: Potential Roles for the Environmental and Earth Observation Communities
If a nation’s GDP is not enough to define human welfare, what is? Author David Hastings explores the idea of a human security index, and shares progress on creating a standard measurement for human well-being.
Effects of Extreme Weather Events in Pakistan and Their Impacts on Sustainable Development
Floods in Pakistan threaten the nation’s infrastructure, energy security, political and economic stability and natural ecosystems. In this situation, sustainable development may be the only way to manage both natural and man-made disasters. This paper presents the effects of extreme weather events in Pakistan and their impacts on sustainable development.
International Earth Day 2011
This is the first installment of Earthly Updates, on International Earth Day 2011. Earthzine plans to provide similar updates weekly, highlighting interesting and timely Earth Observation-related events and resources.
Earth Observation for Development: Mainstreaming Satellite-based Information into Sustainable Development and Financing Practices
The need to account for environmental information in financing development projects has driven a growing demand for geospatial information from organizations like the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. Earth Observation satellites can help in meeting this challenge.
Geospatial Standards: Opening Up the Geosciences
In his second essay on access of geospatial data , Lance McKee argues that the technical standards in the geosciences are largely in place and have the necessary institutional commitment, but their availability and usefulness are not yet well known. His first essay presented the rationale for making Earth location-referenced data widely available and shared.
And the 2010 Winners Are…
Earthzine is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 University and College Student Essay and Blogging Competition, “Making Citizen Observations a Global Vision.” Co-sponsored by NASA, this year’s contest attracted well-written, thought provoking essays and an international dialogue with students on important environmental issues.