Pivotal principles for digital earth development in the twenty-first century

Abstract

Reductionist thinking will no longer suffice to address contemporary, complex challenges that defy sectoral, national, or disciplinary boundaries. Furthermore, lessons learned from the past cannot be confidently used to predict outcomes or guide future actions. The authors propose that the confluence of a number of technology and social disruptors presents a pivotal moment in history to enable real time, accelerated, and integrated action that can adequately support a 'future earth' through transformational solutions. Building on more than a decade of dialogues hosted by the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), and evolving a briefing note presented to delegates of Pivotal 2015, the paper presents an emergent context for collectively addressing spatial information, sustainable development, and good governance through three guiding principles for enabling prosperous living in the twenty-first century. These are:(1) open data, (2) real-world context, and (3) informed visualization for decision support. The paper synthesizes an interdisciplinary dialogue to create a credible and positive future vision of collaborative and transparent action for the betterment of humanity and planet. It is intended that these Pivotal Principles can be used as an elegant framework for action toward the Digital Earth vision, across local, regional, and international communities and organizations. ARTICLE HISTORY

Use of geodesign tools for visualisation of scenarios for an ecologically sensitive area at a local scale

“…The ingredients used for this study are part of what has been described as an 'information revolution' (Desha et al, 2017). For example, big data, Earth observation and 3d visualisation are considered among emerging and powerful technologies that can drive a society to the path of sustainability (Desha et al, 2017). Additionally, this study demonstrates the utilisation of advancement in visualisation methods that have been identified as a key development towards the vision of a digital Earth (Craglia et al, 2012).…”

“…Most respondents felt the utility of such resources to enhance the spatial understanding of an area and will enable better decision-making for further development and management of the area. The ingredients used for this study are part of what has been described as an 'information revolution' (Desha et al, 2017). For example, big data, Earth observation and 3d visualisation are considered among emerging and powerful technologies that can drive a society to the path of sustainability (Desha et al, 2017).…”

“…Visualisation of data for different earth system processes as well as for urban systems has been recommended across different scales in many studies mainly because a non-scientific audience wants to visualise information with minimum abstraction and maximum content (Bishop, 1994). Moreover, informed visualisation together with real-world context is identified as key pivotal principles for prosperous living in the 21st century (Desha et al, 2017).…”

Digital Earth Education

“…Based upon a decade of dialogue hosted by the ISDE, three Pivotal Principles have been identified to guide DE development in the 21st Century: open data, real-world context, and informed visualization for decision support (Desha et al 2017). These principles call for higher accessibility and a broader, interdisciplinary context of Big Earth Data and advanced analytical visualization skills for sustainable governance and decision making.…”

Digital Earth in Australia

“…As illustrated in Fig. 21.1, these initiatives are indicative of a growing awareness of and appetite for access to data that can result in meaningful decision-making, addressing three important principles for Digital Earth (Desha et al 2017):…”