Planetary health involves complex spatial–temporal interactions among agents, hosts, and earth environment. Due to rapid technical development of geomatics, including geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in the era of big data analytics, therefore, earth data analytics has become one of the important approaches for monitoring earth surface process and measuring of the effects of environment changes on all humans and other living organisms on earth. Various methods in earth data analytics, including spatial–temporal statistics, spatial evolutionary algorithms, remote sensing image analysis, wireless geo-sensors, and location-based analytics, are an emerging discipline in understanding complex interactions in planetary health. This edited book provides a broad focus on methodological theories of earth data analytics and their applications to measuring the process of planetary health, with the goal to build scientific understanding on how geospatial analytics can provide valuable insights in measuring environmental risks in Southeast Asian regions. It is collection of selected papers covering both theoretical and empirical studies focusing on topics relevant to spatial perspectives on planetary health and environmental exposure studies. The book is written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, lecturers, and researchers in applications of geospatial technologies for public health and environmental studies.
Planetary health involves complex spatial–temporal interactions among agents, hosts, and earth environment. Due to rapid technical development of geomatics, including geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in the era of big data analytics, therefore, earth data analytics has become one of the important approaches for monitoring earth surface process and measuring of the effects of environment changes on all humans and other living organisms on earth. Various methods in earth data analytics, including spatial–temporal statistics, spatial evolutionary algorithms, remote sensing image analysis, wireless geo-sensors, and location-based analytics, are an emerging discipline in understanding complex interactions in planetary health. This edited book provides a broad focus on methodological theories of earth data analytics and their applications to measuring the process of planetary health, with the goal to build scientific understanding on how geospatial analytics can provide valuable insights in measuring environmental risks in Southeast Asian regions. It is collection of selected papers covering both theoretical and empirical studies focusing on topics relevant to spatial perspectives on planetary health and environmental exposure studies. The book is written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, lecturers, and researchers in applications of geospatial technologies for public health and environmental studies.
One Planet, One Health provides a multidisciplinary reflection on the state of our planet, human and animal health, as well as the critical effects of climate change on the environment and on people. Climate change is already affecting many poor communities and traditional aid programs have achieved relatively small gains. Going beyond the narrow disciplinary lens and an exclusive focus on human health, a planetary health approach puts the ecosystem at the centre. The contributors to One Planet, One Health argue that maintaining and restoring ecosystem resilience should be a core priority, carried out in partnership with local communities. One Planet, One Health offers an integrated approach to improving the health of the planet and its inhabitants. With chapters on ethics, research and governance, as well as case studies of government and international aid-agency responses to illustrate successes and failures, the book aims to help scholars, governments and non-governmental organisations understand the benefits of focusing on the interdependence of human and animal health, food, water security and land care.
Geographic information, spatial analysis and geospatial technologies play an important role in understanding changes in planetary health and in defining the drivers contributing to different health outcomes both locally and globally. Patterns influencing health outcomes and disease in the environment are complex and require an understanding of the ecology of the disease and how these interact in space and time. Knowing where and when diseases are prevalent, who is affected and what may be driving these outcomes is important for determining how to respond. In reality, we all would like to be healthy and live in healthy places. In this book, epidemiology and public health are integrated with spatial data science to examine health issues in dynamically changing environments. This is too broad a field to be completely covered in one book, and so, it has been necessary to be selective with the topics, methods and examples used to avoid overwhelming introductory readers while at the same time providing sufficient depth for geospatial experts interested in health and for health professionals interested in integrating geospatial elements for health analysis. A variety of geographic information (some novel, some volunteered, some authoritative, some big and messy) is used with a mix of methods consisting of spatial analysis, data science and spatial statistics to better understand health risks and disease outcomes. Key Features: Makes spatial data science accessible to health Integrates epidemiology and disease ecology with spatial data science Integrates theoretical geographic information science concepts Provides practical and applied approaches for examining and exploring health and disease risks Provides spatial data science skill development ranging from map making to spatial modelling
Data Science Applied to Sustainability Analysis focuses on the methodological considerations associated with applying this tool in analysis techniques such as lifecycle assessment and materials flow analysis. As sustainability analysts need examples of applications of big data techniques that are defensible and practical in sustainability analyses and that yield actionable results that can inform policy development, corporate supply chain management strategy, or non-governmental organization positions, this book helps answer underlying questions. In addition, it addresses the need of data science experts looking for routes to apply their skills and knowledge to domain areas. - Presents data sources that are available for application in sustainability analyses, such as market information, environmental monitoring data, social media data and satellite imagery - Includes considerations sustainability analysts must evaluate when applying big data - Features case studies illustrating the application of data science in sustainability analyses
This open access book offers a summary of the development of Digital Earth over the past twenty years. By reviewing the initial vision of Digital Earth, the evolution of that vision, the relevant key technologies, and the role of Digital Earth in helping people respond to global challenges, this publication reveals how and why Digital Earth is becoming vital for acquiring, processing, analysing and mining the rapidly growing volume of global data sets about the Earth. The main aspects of Digital Earth covered here include: Digital Earth platforms, remote sensing and navigation satellites, processing and visualizing geospatial information, geospatial information infrastructures, big data and cloud computing, transformation and zooming, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and social media. Moreover, the book covers in detail the multi-layered/multi-faceted roles of Digital Earth in response to sustainable development goals, climate changes, and mitigating disasters, the applications of Digital Earth (such as digital city and digital heritage), the citizen science in support of Digital Earth, the economic value of Digital Earth, and so on. This book also reviews the regional and national development of Digital Earth around the world, and discusses the role and effect of education and ethics. Lastly, it concludes with a summary of the challenges and forecasts the future trends of Digital Earth. By sharing case studies and a broad range of general and scientific insights into the science and technology of Digital Earth, this book offers an essential introduction for an ever-growing international audience.
A New Reality: Human Evolution for a Sustainable Future provides a startling, fresh new message of understanding, perspective and hope for today’s tense, rapid-fire, kaleidoscopically changing world. A New Reality: Human Evolution for a Sustainable Future provides a startling, fresh new message of understanding, perspective and hope for today’s tense, rapid-fire, kaleidoscopically changing world. Drawn from the writings of visionary scientist Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine, extended and developed by his son Jonathan, the message of the book explodes from the past and sheds light on tensions that besiege us and the currents of discord that are raging as these words are written. More importantly, it indicates a way forward out of our current situation. Written by a world-famous doctor and folk hero, based on population data, rich in visual imagery, elegantly designed, and clearly written, A New Reality is unique in the marketplace. Readable in one or two sittings, it is accessible to the general reader while at the same time being of essential value to policy makers and academics. Its brevity and simplicity of design belie the importance and sophistication of its message. “We are at a point in the course of human social evolution when the demands of survival converge with the higher ideals of humankind and the well-being and flourishing of human society. It is up to us to see that we navigate this transition, adapting to and emerging in a new reality.” —A New Reality Our country is divided and polarized. Terrorism is a major threat throughout much of the world. Mass migrations are causing national and international tension. Population growth continues to increase, especially in the developing regions of the world. Controversy rages as to the use of fossil fuels versus the development of alternative forms of energy. Disagreement continues about climate change. Opposing currents of opinion collide as to how much we should help other areas in the world and how much to help ourselves. Basic values are in conflict. More than 40 years ago, Jonas Salk understood that we are at a unique moment in the history of the human species. After centuries of increase, population growth has begun to slow and is trending toward equilibrium. This change is accompanied by an equally significant change in human values—a shift from those based on unlimited availability of resources, unremitting growth, excess, independence, competition and short-term thinking to those based on limits, equilibrium, balance, interdependence, cooperation and long-term thinking. This momentous transition is the source of far-reaching tension and conflict. The way through this difficult era is to understand its basis and to focus on new values that will be of the greatest benefit to humankind. There is an urgency, however, and failure to adapt will result in disaster both for humanity and for the planet as a whole. A New Reality delivers a message of both caution and hope. Readers across the social and political spectrum will find it a reasoned and balanced counterpoint to current social and political trends. Its elegant design and long-range perspective will appeal to general readers, policy makers, millennials, baby boomers, teachers, and students, filling a need in the marketplace for a work of positivity and wisdom in otherwise bleak times.
In a rapidly changing world, there is an ever-increasing need to monitor the Earth’s resources and manage it sustainably for future generations. Earth observation from satellites is critical to provide information required for informed and timely decision making in this regard. Satellite-based earth observation has advanced rapidly over the last 50 years, and there is a plethora of satellite sensors imaging the Earth at finer spatial and spectral resolutions as well as high temporal resolutions. The amount of data available for any single location on the Earth is now at the petabyte-scale. An ever-increasing capacity and computing power is needed to handle such large datasets. The Google Earth Engine (GEE) is a cloud-based computing platform that was established by Google to support such data processing. This facility allows for the storage, processing and analysis of spatial data using centralized high-power computing resources, allowing scientists, researchers, hobbyists and anyone else interested in such fields to mine this data and understand the changes occurring on the Earth’s surface. This book presents research that applies the Google Earth Engine in mining, storing, retrieving and processing spatial data for a variety of applications that include vegetation monitoring, cropland mapping, ecosystem assessment, and gross primary productivity, among others. Datasets used range from coarse spatial resolution data, such as MODIS, to medium resolution datasets (Worldview -2), and the studies cover the entire globe at varying spatial and temporal scales.
Planetary Health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - encourages the preservation and sustainability of natural systems for the benefit of human health. Drawing from disciplines such as public health, environmental science, evolutionary anthropology, welfare economics, geography, policy and organizational theory, it addresses the challenges of the modern world, where human health and well-being is threatened by increasing pollution and climate change. A comprehensive publication covering key concepts in this emerging field, Planetary Health reviews ideas and approaches to the subject such as natural capital, ecological resilience, evolutionary biology, One Earth and transhumanism. It also sets out through case study chapters the main links between human health and environmental change. Providing an extensive overview of key theories and literature for academics and practitioners who are new to the field, this engaging and informative read also offers an important resource for students of a diverse range of subjects, including environmental sciences, animal sciences, geography and health.
