Down To Earth: A podcast for Geoscientists by Geoscientist

After covering many of the exciting possibilities and potential challenges of AI in Earth Observation (EO), the question still remains: Is AI in EO going to be more of a help, or a hindrance? The answer lies in whether or not we can use AI ethically. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Caroline Gevaert, Associate Professor at University of Twente and expert in geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence for sustainable development in Low and Lower Middle Income countries. From the potential biases in AI-driven geoscience research to the ownership and privacy concerns surrounding geospatial data, we shed light on the complex questions, challenges and potential solutions that arise when human decision-making meets machine learning.

As the previous episodes have highlighted, collaboration plays an important role when it comes to using AI to solve real-world problems. So how do we work across diverse stakeholders to do this work properly? We speak with Isabelle Tingzon, Data Science Consultant, UNICEF, about the power of collaboration in her work, which uses AI and geoscience for socioeconomic development and disaster response. Through her experiences, she showcases the potential of collaborative approaches in driving meaningful impact and sustainable development.

Beyond the challenges inherent in using AI in earth observation, there are some incredibly valuable applications for tackling real-world problems. In particular, Geospatial Foundation Models are leading us to unique insights, discoveries, and solutions to real-world problems that we wouldn’t otherwise uncover. How do these models help us do this, and what challenges are they currently being applied to? We speak to Dr. Juan Bernabé-Moreno, the Director of IBM Research Europe, and Dr. Rahul Ramachandran, Project Manager and Senior Research Scientist at NASA to find out!

Unlocking the full potential of scientific research requires more than just cutting-edge technology - it demands skilled scientists who can wield it effectively. In this episode, we delve into the world of high-performance computing training, where researchers are learning to harness the power of supercomputers to tackle complex problems and drive innovation. Leading us on this exploration is Dr. Dora Blanco Heras, full professor and Senior Researcher at CiTIUS at University of Santiago de Compostela, and co-lead of the High-performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS) working group. Together, we explore examples and insights from the HDCRS school to understand how hands-on training and real-world examples are empowering the next generation of GeoAI researchers.

Now that we have the basics of AI use in the geosciences, the question becomes, how do we use and maximize these tools? Enter the supercomputer! With Dr. Dalton Lunga, Senior R&D Scientist and GeoAI Group Leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we explore the cutting-edge world of supercomputers and their role in training large GeoAI models. Dr. Lunga shares insights on how supercomputers like Summit and Frontier are revolutionizing the field of geospatial AI, enabling faster and more accurate processing of vast amounts of data. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in training large GeoAI models, highlighting the potential for breakthroughs in climate modeling, natural disaster response, and environmental monitoring. Through the conversation, we unravel the pivotal importance of these tools for unlocking new frontiers in earth observation and our understanding of the planet's dynamic processes.

When machine learning was first invented, the infrastructure for processing earth observation data was incredibly slow, often taking days or weeks to generate results. But recent breakthroughs in hardware and software have revolutionized our ability to collect, process, and analyze geospatial data, unlocking new possibilities for research, mapping, and environmental monitoring. At the forefront of this revolution is NVIDIA, whose innovative technologies are transforming the field. In this episode, we explore the latest advancements in GeoAI hardware and architectures with Dr. May Casterline, Principal Solutions Architect with NVIDIA, and Dr. Brent Bartlette, Senior Solutions Architect at NVIDIA. Together, they share insights on how NVIDIA's unique solutions are enabling faster, more accurate, and more insightful geospatial data processing. We also examine what this means when it comes to challenges like the data bottleneck, and the ways NVIDIA is approaching these problems from a new perspective.

We’ve heard repeatedly that reliable, validated training data is one of the most important, and also most challenging components of ensuring AI models provide accurate outputs. How are we overcoming this challenge? Through Data-centric AI! Data-centric AI emphasizes the value of good data rather than model. So what are some data-centric AI approaches? We speak to Dr. Manil Maskey, Data Science and Innovation Lead, NASA Office of Chief Science Data Officer and Dr. Rajat Shinde, Computer Scientist Level IV, NASA IMPACT, University of Alabama in Huntsville to find out!

AI is a hot topic these days, but when it comes to geoscience, how is it actually being used? To answer this question, we speak to Dr. Caleb Robinson, Principal Research Scientist, Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab. Dr. Robinson shares insights into the transformative power of AI within the field, providing several interesting examples of how GeoAI is revolutionizing the analysis of satellite data for Earth observation purposes. We also cover the many opportunities available with this growing field, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed to ensure AI is a help as opposed to a hindrance.

Imagine a world where scientists can predict natural disasters before they strike, where we can monitor the health of our planet in real-time, and where we can uncover the secrets of Earth's hidden resources. Welcome to the future of geoscience, where AI is revolutionizing our understanding of the planet! In this season of Down to Earth, we’re exploring the uncharted territories of AI in geoscience, from the groundbreaking capabilities of supercomputing to the revelatory insights of Geospatial Foundation Models. As AI challenges and reshapes our understanding of Earth's systems, it also presents some complex, and sometimes unexpected, cultural and social implications. Through deep conversations with visionaries, innovators, and researchers, we'll explore the promises and pitfalls of this technological revolution and we’ll dare to ask the ultimate question: Will AI unlock the secrets of our planet, or, will it lead us down a precarious rabbit hole, we have yet to imagine? Find out this fall on season 6 of Down to Earth: A Podcast FOR Geoscientists BY Geoscientists!

From its role in sustaining and nurturing our bodies to its cultural and social significance, food is a key component of human life. It’s also in serious jeopardy due to climate change. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Inbal Becker-Reshef about her work in the field of food security. Together, we delve into the critical role of geospatial technologies in monitoring agricultural systems, assessing crop health, and predicting yield fluctuations through programs including the GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for Early Warning initiative. Through our discussion, Dr. Becker-Reshef teaches us how geoscientific approaches can shape the future of food security and sustainability.

According to the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health, water-related disasters (WRDs), including floods and droughts, account for 90% of natural disasters. These disasters result in significant loss of life each year, not to mention the billions spent on managing and rebuilding afterwards. As the global water crisis continues to grow, so too does our need for tools, techniques, and policy that will help us more effectively predict, respond to, and prevent WRDs. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Hamid Mehmood, Economic Affairs Officer with United Nations ESCAP to find out how we can address WRDs with technology.

What’s the difference between glaciers and sea ice and why do we need to be studying sea ice to better understand climate change? In this episode, we speak to two experts who study sea ice in the arctic and antarctic respectively. Dr. Anja Frost and Dr. Sven Jacobsen share their concerns about the pressing issue of the Arctic’s vanishing sea ice, the need to understand the relationship between ocean waves and sea ice depletion, and how remote sensing techniques are improving our understanding of Arctic sea ice changes. Together, both Anja and Sven use their expertise to support ships travelling through the arctic. Their research helps to optimise ship navigation, reduce emissions, and improve the technologies and processes for studying sea ice using remote sensing.

As far back as 2014, Dr. Eric Rignot, specialist in glaciology, has been informing us that some of our glaciers are melting faster than we can save them. Yet, this knowledgeable and passionate scientist continues to advocate for hope. In this episode we’ll dive deep into the meltwater to not only understand glacier behaviour, but how we can proactively deal with the results.

Methane is a dangerous gas has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane is a major contributor to global warming. But the good news is, unlike CO2, methane has a very short atmospheric lifespan – around 10 years to be exact. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ritesh Gautam who is an expert in atmospheric sciences, explores the impact of methane as a potent greenhouse gas and shares news of a new satellite mission that will help us cut methane emissions in half by 2030!

Whenever we think of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is top of mind. But a more nefarious gas is gaining notoriety: Methane. Not just restricted to agricultural emissions, methane is also found in the Earth’s permafrost, which is melting at an increased rate due to climate change. It’s a vicious cycle that we seriously need to interrupt. So in this episode, we delve into the critical issue of permafrost thaw and its implications for methane release with Dr. Annett Bartsch. Dr. Bartsch, a leading researcher of permafrost, shares the satellite observations and modeling techniques used to track permafrost thaw and highlights the consequences of methane emissions on our climate system.

Wetlands are the Earth’s greatest natural carbon stores, however, since 1900, we have lost 64% of our wetlands due to both human activity and climate change. Coastal wetlands and deltas–wetlands that form as rivers–are particularly vulnerable due to their position at the land-sea interface and many are, in fact, sinking. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Marc Simard about the crucial role of wetlands in climate regulation and adaptation. We also dig into his Delta-X project to look at how he and his team are combining remote sensing and in situ measurements to understand how the Mississippi River Delta is growing and sinking, and how we can apply this research to protecting deltas around the world.

The Global Carbon Cycle refers to the continuous flow of carbon from the land and water, through the atmosphere and living organisms. Within the cycle there are carbon sinks and carbon emitters. As one of the largest reservoirs of carbon on Earth, forests play a huge role in the global carbon cycle. But how do we know? In this episode, we speak to geoscientist Dr. Ralph Dubayah to explore the applications of GEDI and NISAR in assessing carbon capture in Earth's forests. Dr. Dubayah sheds light on the incredible capabilities of GEDI, a lidar-based instrument on the International Space Station, which measures forest structure in three dimensions, providing precise estimates of biomass and carbon content. He also shares insights into NISAR, a forthcoming joint NASA-ISRO mission that uses synthetic aperture radar to track surface deformation and offer a comprehensive understanding of forest biomass changes. Throughout the episode, Dr. Dubayah showcases exciting discoveries made possible by these technologies, highlighting their potential for revolutionizing our understanding of forest carbon capture and its crucial role in mitigating climate change.

In a world grappling with the pressing challenges of climate change, I bring you stories of optimism, resilience, and scientific insight: Welcome to Season five of Down to Earth: A podcast for geoscientists, by geoscientists! This season is being sponsored by The Remote Sensing Environment, Analysis and Climate Technologies technical committee of the I-Triple-E Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society. Together, we'll be speaking with some amazing geoscientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding the intricate workings of our planet's climate system. From uncovering the secrets behind the stunning rate of glacier melt in our polar regions, to unraveling the climate impacts on our food systems, their work provides us with the knowledge and insight to change our current trajectory towards a much brighter future. I also gather tips from these brilliant minds for how we can each contribute, one change at a time, to our survival in the face of global warming! So, get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and empowered as we bridge the gap between scientific research and the urgent action needed to protect our home. Tune in this fall to the Down to Earth podcast and be part of the global movement to create a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

The open science movement is an experiment, but it’s an experiment that has a lot of merit when it comes to its vision of equitable transparency, accessibility and collaboration for better science, and a better world. So how do we begin to transition our own practices towards those of open science? In this episode, we speak with Julia Stewart Lowndes, Founding Director of Openscapes, and her collaborator, Erin Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Metadata Game Changers, about Openscapes, an organization that engages, empowers, and amplifies researchers with open habits and mindsets for data-intensive science.

Open science has been an almost exclusively voluntary endeavor for the past two decades, with passionate individuals piecing together collaboratives, nonprofits, grants, and donations to support their work of ensuring science is open and accessible. A relief to these dedicated individuals, as the concept of open science has gained in popularity, so too has new funding started to emerge. However, alongside the boon of no longer having to do open science as a side hustle, there are also unanticipated consequences to funding what was originally a voluntary endeavor. In this episode, we speak to Kaitlin Thaney, Executive Director of the nonprofit initiative, Invest in Open Infrastructure about the exciting opportunities and potential pitfalls of building financial capacity for open science.