Environmental Data Science

USES AND ADVANTAGES OF BIG DATA TO ENVIRONMENTAL

SCIENCES
Definition of Big Data
• It is a term used to describe a collection of data that is huge in size and yet
growing exponentially with time.

• It is a data set of such complexity that it would be impossible to process,

examine, manipulate and present using traditional methods.
Uses of Big Data to
Environmental Science
FF: P UBL IC A ND EN VIRO N MEN TA L HEA L TH, GEOGR A P HI C D A TA,
CL I MA TE CHA NG E A ND P L A NE TARY MON ITORI NG, AGRI TE CH,
E N V I R ONME NTA L CO N S E R VA TI ON, R E G I ONA L P L A N N I N G
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Monitoring has always relied on tried-and-true methods such as localized
environmental sampling, but now we can process such data using computational
methods, resulting in more accurate, up-to-date data that is produced faster, and
with more analytical information to allow experts to make an informed decision.
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

GEOGRAPHIC DATA
From simple cartography for naval navigation, geographic surveying, to modern
uses for Geographic Information Systems (databases of data sets from which we
can produce digestible maps and create visually striking imagery for an intended
audience), GIS thrives on Big Data. Much of GIS strength lies in its ability to
consolidate, utilize and present statistical data.
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANETORY MONITORING

The establishment of larger databases will allow research partners to work with
more data and deliver more findings as a result of the upcoming Big Data
revolution. With a particular focus on the planetary monitoring and climate
change.
As early as 2010, NASA was using Big Data gathering and storage to develop the
most accurate climate projection models yet. Models thrive on large data sets,
complicated data, and accumulated information.
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

AGRITECH
Some well-known agricultural groups in the United States are already combining
crowdsourcing data with remote sensing and publicly available data like weather
forecasts. As a result, Big Data sets may be created to help farmers in the United
States increase their land use efficiency, so increasing their productivity and
revenue streams.
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Data may be used by environmental organizations to push governments to pass
legislation or other actions to protect individual landscapes.
Big Data may be used in two ways by companies: first, as proof that they are
adhering to government regulations that apply to their industry and sector, and
second, to initiate investigations into concerns in order to figure out what is
causing an environmental problem.
Uses of Big Data to Environmental Science

REGIONAL PLANNING
In particular, in urban areas, big data may be used to investigate traffic, crime, and
health issues. Bringing together data from information technologists, geographers,
logistics, and urban planning is required.
Advantages of Using Big Data
to Environmental Science
COLLECTING, SORTING, ANALYZING, PRESENTING QUICKLY,
ERROR MITIGATION, BET TER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,
BET TER DECISION MAKING
Advantages of Using Big Data to Environmental
Science

COLLECTING, SORTING, ANALYZING, PRESENTING QUICKLY

Big Data's major advantage is in the capacity to collect masses of data and analyze
it quickly.

ERROR MITIGATION
The larger a data set, the more likely a rogue piece of information will fall in
significance and not damage the overall result
Advantages of Using Big Data to Environmental
Science

BETTER DECISION MAKING

with its increased access and availability, it is expected to permit easier
presentation and reporting, delivering more confident results and therefore,
better to aid decision makers and policy development professionals.