Using Earth Observation Tech to Support Sustainable Development | Sharif Islam | MIT Media Lab

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Earth Observation (EO) technologies, such as satellites and remote sensing, provide a comprehensive view of the Earth's surface, enabling real-time monitoring and data acquisition. Within the environmental domain, EO facilitates tracking land use changes, deforestation, and biodiversity, thereby supporting evidence-based conservation efforts. Social factors, encompassing population dynamics and urbanization trends, can be analyzed to inform inclusive and resilient development strategies. EO also assumes a crucial role in policy formulation by furnishing accurate and up-to-date information on environmental conditions, thereby supporting informed decision-making. Furthermore, technical aspects, like infrastructure development and resource management, benefit from EO's ability to provide detailed insights into terrain characteristics and natural resource distribution. The integration of Earth Observation across these domains yields a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between environmental, social, policy, and technical factors, fostering a more sustainable and informed approach to development initiatives. In this presentation, I will discuss our lab's work on how we are using satellite earth observation technologies to support sustainable development in developing countries.

Speaker Bio: Sharif Islam is a postdoctoral research associate within the Space Enabled research group at MIT Media Lab. His work involves the application of satellite earth observations and geospatial modeling tools and techniques to analyze satellite data, facilitating a deeper understanding of environmental changes and their consequences. Sharif is passionately dedicated to research focused on climate and environmental justice. His ongoing research efforts are currently investigating a range of environmental issues in various regions, including South Asia, Angola in Africa, Brazil in South America, and the United States.