AGU is an international, nonprofit scientific association whose mission is to promote discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Every year, AGU Fall Meeting unites over 25,000 attendees from 100+ countries in the Earth and space sciences community to discuss findings, connect scientists from around the world, advance their profession and connect over the passion for the impact of science. This year, Ufuoma Ovienmhada and Danielle Wood are presenting the work listed below. 

Monday, December 12:

Danielle Wood, Presenter

Title: Applications of the Environment-Vulnerability-Decision-Technology (EVDT) Integrated Analysis Framework to support Biodiversity Management in West Africa

Time: 11-12:30 CST
Session Number: B13-A

Abstract: The Environment-Vulnerability-Decision-Technology (EVDT) Integrated Analysis Framework supports the design and implementation of Decision Support Systems that use geospatial data to inform local leaders addressing socioenvironmental management challenges. Current projects led by the Space Enabled Research Group at the MIT Media Lab include applications of EVDT in Brazil, Indonesia, Ghana, Benin and on the lands of the Yurok Native American Tribe. In addition, a variation of the EVDT Framework called the Vida Decision Support System was designed to support city and regional leaders guiding policies for social distancing and social safety nets during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Environment Model of the EVDT Analysis Framework aims to combine multiple sources of observational or modeled data about the state of the environment. During current projects in Benin and Ghana, environmental data is sourced from medium resolution and high resolution Earth Observation Satellites, in-situ sensors, air borne sensors and qualitative field work. The EVDT Framework uses an iterative approach to consider how to combine environmental data with socioeconomic information to gain an integrated view of how humans and environment are impacting each other. In the example from work in Benin, the team collaborates with local teams that seek to support water resource management in the Lake Nokoue region of Southern Benin, with a focus on the impacts of the invasive water hyacinth. Via multiple rounds of field work, the team improves remote detection of water hyacinth and seeks to understand how local communities benefit from water hyacinth remediation programs. Through the work in Ghana, the team cooperates with the regional government agencies that consider the environmental impacts of large scale and small scale gold mines. The work combines medium and high resolution satellite data, information from local water quality measurements and regional climate analysis to consider how land use and forest cover are changing. This insight is further illuminated by considering socioeconomic factors such as the price of gold and long term land use change. The presentation further shows how the work applies machine learning for classifications of environmental data and the creation of accessible web-based maps that are navigable by users of different levels of experience. Future work seeks to expand the use of the Technology Model to further compare options for sensing systems and platforms to improve the environmental and socioeconomic observations. The presentation demonstrates that the EVDT Integrated Analysis Framework and the development of decision support tools in Benin and Ghana provide insights relevant to the biodiversity management challenges.

Tuesday, December 13:

Ufuoma Ovienmhada, Presenter

Title: The Environment-Vulnerability-Decision-Technology Modeling Framework Applied to Environmental Justice Activism in Carceral Landscapes

Time: 16:00 - 18:00 CST

Session Number: GC25G-0723

Abstract: In recent years, investigative reports by human rights organizations have highlighted numerous cases of U.S. incarcerated populations being exposed to life-threatening environmental harms in the form of air pollution, toxic water quality, or extreme weather like heat and flooding. The options for attaining justice in carceral landscapes in particular can be challenging to perceive because of the relative social and legal marginalization of these populations in American society; incarcerated populations are often left out of disaster response plans and broader environmental health efforts. The Space Enabled Research Group of the MIT Media Lab has developed the Environment-Vulnerability-Decision-Technology (EVDT) modeling framework which considers the interaction between the environment, societal impact, decision-making, and technology design to support decision making for environmental health. In this presentation, the EVDT framework is applied to study exposure to extreme weather events in carceral landscapes to (1) understand how environmental injustices are brought on through the existence of prisons and (2) understand opportunities for earth observation (EO) to support environmental justice campaigns for incarcerated people. The Environment Model uses EO datasets to document environmental conditions in these landscapes such as extreme heat or flood risk. The Vulnerability Model captures the health impact of environmental conditions; the Decision Model captures different modes of activism to respond to vulnerability; and the Technology Model describes what data is currently used in advocacy efforts and how EO can support those efforts. The application of the EVDT framework provides an organized way to bring together diverse datasets that can simultaneously assess and combat injustice. This study will demonstrate the viability of EVDT as an Environmental Justice framework while pushing forward technology intervention options for this specific domain of environmental justice for incarcerated populations.

Wednesday, December 14:

Danielle Wood, Session Chair

Title: Earth Science for Advancing National Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals I Online Poster Discussion (chair)
Time: 8:00am-9:00am CST
Session Number: GC31B

Title: Earth Science for Advancing National Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals II Poster (chair)
Time:  9:00am-12:30pm CST
Session Number: GC32H