Detailed Report

Team Name: Angry Nerds

This is a detailed report component of submissions for the Pale Blue Dot: Visualization
Challenge.

The visual presentation of the Water Equivalent Thickness – Land dataset for the Save
River region serves as a valuable tool for informing decisions and actions aligned with
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger. By
illustrating the temporal evolution of water content in the region, the visual helps
stakeholders, policymakers, and agricultural planners understand the dynamics that
impact food security. The insights gained from the visual can guide decisions related to
adaptive agricultural strategies, water resource management, and drought
preparedness. For instance, identifying periods of high water availability can inform
optimal planting times, while recognizing periods of water scarcity can prompt the
implementation of water-saving technologies or alternative crop choices. In essence,
the visual empowers decision-makers with information critical for designing effective
measures to mitigate hunger and enhance agricultural sustainability in the Save River
region.

Our submission journey began with an exploration of the Water Equivalent Thickness
– Land dataset for the Save River region. Armed with Python, we harnessed the
collaborative power of Google Colab to seamlessly load a CSV file downloaded from
grace.jpl.nasa.gov. The data processing journey was marked by meticulous steps,
including handling missing values, filtering relevant columns, and aggregating data to
ensure its readiness for insightful analysis.

The visualizations, illustrating temporal water dynamics, were crafted using Python
packages tailored for data analysis and visualization. The codebase management was
a testament to our commitment to efficient and collaborative development. We
structured our code by leveraging modularization and functions to enhance readability
and maintainability. Git, a powerful version control system, was employed to track
changes, allowing for seamless collaboration among team members.

1
However, here's the twist – the very same captivating visual experience can be
replicated interactively on the grace.jpl.nasa.gov website. Yet, we didn't stop there. In
a bold move, our team delved into the realm of machine learning, employing neural
networks and deep learning to model and predict the dataset's future trajectory. The
exciting culmination of our efforts, including the visualizations and machine learning
predictions, is showcased in our GitHub repository. Below shows how our model
performed after being trained on a simple network architecture:

This visualization is a prediction from 2024 to 2050 and it shows that generally, the
Water Equivalent Thickness will have an overall upward trend. A polynomial fit was
also plotted alongside the predicted graph and we see that indeed they’re almost
identical. The python code for this plot is available in our Jupyter Notebook together
with the dataset all in our Github so that it can be recreated by anyone who might find
this study helpful in their research. This predicted graph is to give researchers, local
community and even the government of Zimbabwe an idea of what to expect the
water in the near future so they become prepared and to engage in agricultural
activities if the future shows promise. One limitation of this model is that since it’s
smooth, it’s averaging over many years of water thickness so it adapts more slowly
when it changes as it’s not susceptible to outliers. Both the GitHub repository and
Interactive visualization browser are linked below.

2
GitHub Repository: github.com/Black-Draqon/Blue_Pale_Dot.Visualization_Challenge

Interactive Visualization Browser: grace.jpl.nasa.gov

Our motivation to choose the topic of water dynamics in the Save River region
stemmed from the pressing need to address issues related to zero hunger in the
African continent especially in Zimbabwe. This is because Zimbabwe faced a lot of
sanctions primarily in the early 2000s, following a period of controversial land reforms
initiated by then-President Robert Mugabe. The imposition of sanctions had significant
economic consequences for Zimbabwe. The country experienced a sharp decline in
foreign investment, a collapse of its agricultural sector, and a deterioration of its
overall economic performance. Hyperinflation became a major issue, and the country
faced severe economic challenges, including shortages of basic goods and services.
The sanctions, combined with other economic mismanagement factors, contributed to
a period of economic turmoil in Zimbabwe. Since water availability is intrinsically
linked to agricultural productivity, so understanding these dynamics is crucial for us to
implement sustainable solutions to ensure food security in Zimbabwe. The intersection
of these socio-political factors, environmental science, data analysis, and sustainable
development inspired our team to delve into this complex issue.

Our team members, hailing from Botswana, Zimbabwe's neighbor, uniquely brought a
firsthand perspective to our understanding of the broader context surrounding the
water dynamics in the Save River region. Growing up in Botswana during the period of
sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, our team members witnessed the profound impact of
these sanctions on the lives of Zimbabweans. The economic downturn in Zimbabwe, led
to an intensified struggle against poverty. This dire situation prompted many
Zimbabweans to seek a better life, compelling some to embark on illegal migrations to
neighboring countries, including Botswana.

Being intimately connected to the experiences of individuals who had faced these
challenges firsthand, our team gained valuable insights into the human dimension of
the crisis. Interacting with those who had migrated, we heard personal stories that
reflected the harsh realities they endured in their homeland. Some were candid in
expressing the immense difficulties they faced, describing their lives in Zimbabwe
during that period as nothing short of a living hell.

3
 These lived experiences, shared by members of our team and the Zimbabwean
migrants we encountered, served as a poignant and compelling foundation for our
exploration of the water dynamics issue. It not only fueled our commitment to
addressing the challenges faced by the people in the Save River region but also
underscored the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to contribute positively to the
well-being of those affected.

Our research on water dynamics in the Save River region is underpinned by a

commitment to ethical considerations and equity. We prioritize obtaining informed
consent from local communities and ensuring their perspectives are accurately
represented. Recognizing potential power imbalances, our team adopts a participatory
research approach, engaging community members in decision-making processes to
avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. Additionally, we are mindful of environmental
impact and integrate sustainable practices into our work. By aligning our strategies
with ethical standards, promoting equity, and minimizing negative environmental
effects, we aim to conduct research that respects the rights and well-being of the
community and contributes positively to the changes.

References

Love, F., Madamombe, E., Marshall, B. and Kaseke, E., 2006. Balancing Water for the
Environment, Water for Human Needs and Water for National Economic Purposes: A
Case Study from the Rusape River, Save Basin, Zimbabwe. In Water Institute of
Southern Africa Biennial Conference and Exhibition.NKagura, R., 2019. Impact of
Sanctions: The Human Cost on Zimbabwe.

Nzaro, R., Njanike, K. and Munenerwa, E., 2011. The impact of economic sanctions on
financial services: a case of commercial banks in Zimbabwe.

Mtisi, S., 2008. Zimbabwe's Water Reform and Effects on Local Level Water
Management Processes and Rural Livelihoods: Evidence from Lower Save East Sub-
Catchment. The University of Manchester (United Kingdom).

Kagura, R., 2019. Impact of Sanctions: The Human Cost on Zimbabwe.