Tues 22nd March 2022 @ 12:00 nn in 207.222 and online via Webex (meeting #: 2652 672 5983 and password: wxC9n3ngrx8)
Abstract:
Is satellite based, earth- or inter-planetary observations for measuring, monitoring and understanding the earth and other planets, not accurate or use-able unless linked to some sort of “ground knowledge”?
This question and how to address it beyond traditional-disciplinary, -professions and -knowledge systems, is the focus of the presentation. In this context earth observation (EO) is considered an enabling set of technologies and techniques, often linking across disciplines and professions to solve problems, e.g. in education, sciences, governments, industry, and defence. Adoption of EO in government and industry, and broader communities as an accepted source of accurate information for mapping-measuring-monitoring environmental features, requires it is based on: sound science, detailed experiential knowledge of the ground/water/air/planet , collaboration, coordination and communication. EO applications are well developed and adopted for monitoring Australia’s vegetation, meteorology and climate, oceanography and geology, but could be improved. The body of this presentation attempts to answer the question of, how can we improve our environmental understanding, management, custodial roles and intrinsic links by sharing and integrating EO and traditional – indigenous approaches to environmental management, understanding environment and working with it. This would build partnerships using right-way partnerships and science. Using that as a basis, can we take this combined approach to other planets, already being investigated by “planetary observation”? The approach potentially works with knowledge of environmental properties obtained from 10,000’s year of on-country observation and accumulated knowledge, linked to repeated measurement over larger areas from EO.
The approach presented is a starting point, and suggests building partnerships and from areas with extensive indigenous engagement, such as fire management, and potentially water management.
Short bio:
Stuart Phinn is a scientist, educator, and leader who builds and applies methods to measure and understand how our environments are changing at multiple scales (www.rsrc.org.au). He has a strong track record of leading collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams and organisations to deliver quality science that draws upon field-work, satellite-image data, and modelling including: founding directorships of national collaborative research infrastructure (www.tern.org.au) and a world-leading research to operational program that supports government environmental monitoring (www.jrsrp.org.au); and program leadership of industry-driven research (www.eoa.org.au). Stuart’s work provides solutions to support sustainable development and resource use for all levels of government, various industries, and communities.
