Insights from our GEO Business event panellists to address common misconceptions about the complexity of using climate data from space and their tips on accessibility
Space4Climate’s panel takes to the stage at GEO Business
By Uttam Tamboli
Four Space4Climate members shared their expertise, headed by our Climate Services Development Manager, Krupa Nanda Kumar, at the UK’s leading geospatial conference and exhibition, GEO Business.
In front of a standing-room-only audience, the speakers broke down common misconceptions about the complexity of using climate data from space and gave tips on accessibility on the opening day of the London event, Wednesday, June 5th.
The panellists were:
Donna Lyndsay – Strategic Market Lead for Environment & Sustainability, Ordnance Survey
Jonathan Hendry – Chief Technology Officer, 4 Earth Intelligence (4Ei)
David Burridge – Director of Enterprise Solutions, NV5
Francesca Faedi – Non Executive Director and EO Advisor, Agtelligence
Chaired by Krupa Nanda Kumar, Climate Services Development Manager, Space4Climate
The aim of the discussion was to make the use of satellite-based climate data services clearer and more accessible. This involved breaking down complex concepts and methodologies related to climate data collected via satellites, explaining how this data is processed and used, and providing practical guidance on how to interpret and apply this information.
Following are the glimpses of the event:
Value of collaborating with Earth Observation experts
The panellists emphasised collaborations for integrating data from different platforms and using them to solve different problems our planet is facing today, ranging from farmers facing food production issues to flooding due to extremely long periods of rainfall.
They also discussed the challenge of the crowded data platforms landscape which can confuse and overwhelm end users such as farmers and business owners. Hence proper communication, simplifying information and making it easy to consume and access is and will be key to moving forward.
The speakers also expressed strong interest in working with financial institutions and organisations to encourage use of climate data as they have the money and resources to bring about substantial change in climate resilience, adaptation and the scaling up of climate services.
Overcoming psychological barriers to data use
Our speakers identified a common psychological barrier to the take-up of climate information from space of it being complex to understand to the extent that users whose businesses could benefit from using either publicly or commercially available information don’t attempt to investigate it. This is where Space4Cimate can come in, providing ‘101-style’ briefing sessions and making introductions to our member organisations for potential collaboration and support.
In addition, a question came from the audience asking about any projects in action for integrating AI, similar to CHATGPT but for data visualisation and analysis. In answer the speakers shared positive insights into ongoing work into this however they also pointed out that using the right tool is more important than simply coming up with data using AI.
In terms of communication, speakers highlighted the importance of client clarity about how they are planning to show the data so that organisations and businesses can provide appropriate help.
Finally, all four panellists emphasised the fact the UK is a data-dense country and there is a huge amount of satellite data out there waiting to be analysed so that risk areas and affected communities can be identified, businesses can be helped, and efforts can be directed for the right cause. And for making all these happen, collaborations in the satellite sector will play an important role.
Space4Climate would like to thank all our panellists for so generously sharing their expertise and our thanks also go to the organisers of GEO Business for another successful event for the geospatial industry.