1. Earth Observations in Service of Global Development
Integrating Environmental and Socioeconomic Data in Support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Earth Observations in Service of Global Development
Lawrence Friedl
USA / NASA

2. Social Environmental Economic
With different observations platforms, there are tradeoffs in:
- Coverage
Precision
Accuracy
Frequency
Repair/maintenance
Etc.
Water
Energy
Oceans
Climate
Cities
Hunger/Food
Ecosystems
Forests
Biodiversity
Health
Disaster Resilience
Desertification
Poverty
Equality
Education
Justice
Infrastructure
Innovation

3. Some types of Earth observations . . .
… data models that use gridded population data
Source: CIESIN Columbia University.

4. Vietnam: Forest Cover Mapping
Indicator
Forest area as a percentage of total land area
Vietnam: Forest Cover Mapping
Target 15.1
By 2020 ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands...
2014
Total annual gross forest cover loss :
3.2 million ha.
2000 % tree cover
Credit:
Matt Hansen, Peter Potapov, Rebecca Moore, Matt Hancher, Svetlana Turubanova, Alexandra Tyukavina, Dave Thau, Steve Stehman, Scott Goetz, Tom Loveland, Anil Kommareddy, Alexey Egorov, Louise Chini, Chris Justice and John Townshend
Organizations and Sponsors:
Univ. of Maryland-College Park, NASA, USAID, USGS, Google, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Vietnam – Repeated forest cover clearing
Forest loss with primary and mature secondary forests
Primary forests contribute 60% of total gross forest loss.
Credit: Matthew C. Hansen, Univ. Maryland, et al.

5. Air Quality: Annual Average PM2.5 Grids
Indicator
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (i.e. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)
Air Quality: Annual Average PM2.5 Grids
Target 11.6
By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
Background image: Data from 2010.
Circled values: Two-year ( ) country-specific values based on average population-weighted exposure.
Data Source:
Aerosol Optical Depth from MISR and MODIS sensors on Terra & Aqua satellites.
6.8
8.9
4.1
5.1
5.9
Source / Credit: Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) at the Earth Institute, Columbia University
Circles with numerical values indicate 2-year ( ) country-specific estimates of PM 2.5 (in µg/m3)based on average population-weighted exposure.
{These are the most recent estimates that I included here, based on the spreadsheet. We could also get the ones to better match the map, here ( for some of these, however, the differences are very small between , and ). We could do the same for e.g., the PM2.5 annual average maps for Asia & South America.}
Citations
Battelle Memorial Institute, and Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University Global Annual Average PM2.5 Grids from MODIS and MISR Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD). Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). Accessed 21 April 2015.
de Sherbinin, A., M. Levy, E. Zell, S. Weber, and M. Jaiteh Using Satellite Data to Develop Environmental Indicators. Environmental Research Letters 9 (8):  
12.0
7.3
5.7
Source: CIESIN
Columbia University.

6. Earth Observations in Service of the
GEO Initiative 18
Earth Observations in Service of the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Goal I: Earth observations and geospatial information contribute in novel and practical ways to support achievement of the SDGs.
Goal II: Increase skills and capabilities in uses of Earth observations for SDG activities and their broader benefits.
Goal III: Broaden interest and awareness of Earth observations support to the SDGs and social, environmental, and economic benefits.
others

7. Items for Panel Discussion
Strategic opportunities for scientific data community
Connections among natural and social scientists
Significant resources and organizations to leverage
Connections with countries’ national statistical offices
Existing methods and data v. New methods and data
Linkages among goals: a nexus or competition?
SDGs as a conversation starter about broader data uses and needs
Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data
strengthen the inclusivity, trust, and innovation in the way that data is used to address the world’s sustainable development efforts.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Develops research themes around various “solutions” topics globally.
Reports on the SDG framework as well as the associated monitoring indicators, and it seeks to play a significant role in their implementation and in the associated processes.
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Provides practical solutions to the challenge of integrating environmental and social priorities with economic development.

8. Earth Science Division LFriedl@NASA.gov 202.358.7200
Integrating Environmental and Socioeconomic Data in Support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
NASA Headquarters
Earth Science Division
Lawrence Friedl
USA / NASA

9. Ensure the methods and solutions are available for all to use
Taking it to scale . . .
Next Steps
Work with statistical agencies to ensure the methods are sound for use with Indicators and Targets
Ensure the methods and solutions are available for all to use
Support countries and stakeholders to use the methods and build capacity
Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data
strengthen the inclusivity, trust, and innovation in the way that data is used to address the world’s sustainable development efforts.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Develops research themes around various “solutions” topics globally.
Reports on the SDG framework as well as the associated monitoring indicators, and it seeks to play a significant role in their implementation and in the associated processes.
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Provides practical solutions to the challenge of integrating environmental and social priorities with economic development.
others

10. Transforming our World: The 2030 Plan for Global Action - Article 76: We will promote transparent and accountable scaling-up of appropriate public-private cooperation to exploit the contribution to be made by a wide range of data, including Earth observation and geo-spatial information, while ensuring national ownership in supporting and tracking progress.
27 February, Side Event, UN Headquarters
Switzerland UN Mission/GEO/JAXA/UNSD
The Role of Earth Observations in Developing Indicators for
the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Starting a Dialogue
April 22, 2015 – Briefing, UN Headquarters
Denmark UN Mission/UNGGIM: Europe/GEO/UNSD
Unleashing the Power of ‘Where’ to Make the World a Better Place: How Geographic Information Contributes to Achieving the SDGs
GEO serves as Anchor Partner and is a member of the Interim Steering Committee and Working Groups on Global Collaboratives, Data Principles and Protocols, and Data Architecture

12. Earth Obs and Geospatial Information Support to SDG
Sustainable Development Goals represent normative goods in society
Opportunities for value with national:
– Planning – Tracking
– Reporting – Evaluating

13. Forest Area from Earth-observing Environmental Satellites
Indicator
Forest area as a percentage of total land area
Forest Area from Earth-observing Environmental Satellites
Target 15.1
By 2020 ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands...
2013 Tree Cover
2000 % tree cover
100
% tree cover
Credit:
Matt Hansen, Peter Potapov, Rebecca Moore, Matt Hancher, Svetlana Turubanova, Alexandra Tyukavina, Dave Thau, Steve Stehman, Scott Goetz, Tom Loveland, Anil Kommareddy, Alexey Egorov, Louise Chini, Chris Justice and John Townshend
Organizations and Sponsors:
Univ. of Maryland-College Park, NASA, USAID, USGS, Google, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Credit: Matthew C. Hansen, Univ. Maryland, et al.

14. Other Examples & Pilots in Development …
Indicator 3.9.1: Population in urban areas exposed to outdoor air pollution levels above WHO guideline values
Indicator : Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space in public use for all
Indicator : Percentage of land that is degraded over total land area.
Approach/Data Sources:
US Census: Urban Areas in US (1:2000); Global gridded population dataset; Global population distribution at subnational level.
NASA: EPA AIRNow point-based air quality network; MERRA aerosol reanalysis.
Approach/Data Sources:
US Census: Vector data for infrastructure and public land ownership (1:2000); parcel data and municipal sources for open space definitions.
NASA: Landsat-based mapping of land cover for urban areas and open space.
Approach/Data Sources:
US Census: Gridded population distribution (100m grid) Demobase for Sub-Saharan Africa, others.
NASA: Vegetation rigor from satellites (1981-present); 50cm satellite imagery; NASA GMAO reanalysis precipitation.