Organizer: Emily Nilson
Format: Onsite-Online, Afternoon
Abstract:
There is more data available today than ever before thanks to rapid advances in technology, satellites, on-the-ground monitoring, and engaged communities recording information about the world around them. Unfortunately, this data is often siloed, difficult to locate, or is in complex data formats, all of which hinder the possibility of transparent and joined-up solutions to global environmental and human development problems. Resource Watch, an open geospatial data platform created by World Resources Institute (WRI) and over 30 global partners, is helping to bridge this gap. The platform curates over 300 datasets, more than 60 of which are near real-time, into a free, easy to use data-discovery and decision support tool. Resource Watch breaks down traditional thematic siloes, providing a gateway to timely data from a variety of trusted sources (e.g., NOAA, NASA, JRC, universities, UN agencies), all vetted by WRI and partner experts. On Resource Watch, you can find the world’s best available data and maps on deforestation, coral reef bleaching, coastal flooding, crops, fishing, fires and other natural disasters, population, oil spills, air quality, poverty, power plants, human migration, and much more. These datasets, spanning a variety of formats, are provided seamlessly to the end user with the help of an Application Programming Interface (API). This talk will feature successes, lessons learned, and best practices in developing an open source data tool for researchers, analysts, journalists, and media professionals. This training workshop is an opportunity for participants to have a hands-on training on how to locate, analyze, understand, visualize and incorporate data into their day-to-day work. Participants will get a detailed tutorial on using the Resource Watch platform, learn about tools and tips for doing data analysis, and interact with experts on data analysis and environmental issues.
Themes: Integrated Action for the SDGs, Knowledge-to-Action