Environmental data is generated through environmental monitoring. And the data scarcity is due to insufficient ambient monitoring for collecting enough data and processing it to generate useful information. When we say environmental data vacuum, one might think it may be due to one of the following reasons:
Absence of raw data
Inability to convert raw data to useful formats for decision making
Proper means to disseminate the information publicly
3. In a very dynamic domain such as Environmental Monitoring where the climate or ambient air quality
conditions are dependent on multiple variables, the environmental data collection is utmost important. It is
through this environmental monitoring that scientists / researchers will be able to provide answers to
problems related to deteriorating environmental conditions.
Environmental data is generated through environmental monitoring. And the data scarcity is due to
insufficient ambient monitoring for collecting enough data and processing it to generate useful information.
Of course, we have weather stations installed at strategic locations, but they only monitor weather
parameters like temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation
amounts for weather prediction and forecasting. They do not provide information about pollution – their
concentration, sources, and distribution, and hence, the need for environmental monitoring.
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Environmental Data
4. Reasons for Environmental Data Vacuum
Monitoring Time
Ambient monitoring is a continuous process. The measuring variable may vary over time and distance. The
change in concentration and variable trends is gradual and hence require more time for identification.
Prolonged monitoring can distinguish the pollution trends from temporary fluctuations, which is difficult as
most environmental resources have high variability. Continuous monitoring is essential to bridge the data
gaps often caused by infrequent events.
Cost
It is the major reason for the absence of environmental monitoring. The budget for the monitoring is often
limited, so it’s a big challenge to decide and plan on spending it strategically. Before the discovery of low-cost
air quality sensors, environmental monitoring cost was significantly higher due to huge monitoring devices,
technology, and limited service providers in the market.
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5. Reasons for Environmental Data Vacuum
Effective Monitoring
Effective monitoring requires an adequate
system to collect enough relevant environmental
data. Programs must measure the right variables
at the right scale and sufficient levels.
An ineffective monitoring system may not
provide correct data, which can render the whole
monitoring campaign useless or can lead
agencies to ignore critical environmental
problems. It may occur due to undefined goals
and lack of clarity, which may lead to the
adoption of inappropriate variables for
measurement.
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6. Ignorance
Environmental monitoring has gained importance very recently. It has been ignored for a long time until
global warming became a burning topic. Sheer negligence towards the environment for large-scale
developments led to a lack of environmental data.
Scale
It may be difficult to assess the exact monitoring scale. Determining how much to monitor is challenging
because the variables of interest are subject to spatial distribution and dynamism as per changing weather
conditions. The exact scale will depend on the resource being monitored and the purpose of monitoring.
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Reasons for Environmental Data Vacuum
7. Technical Hindrance
In most of the cases, environmental data is present in abundance but is still inaccessible. The lack of proper
information propagation channels and technologies render these data unusable. Lack of network and
communication protocols, partners, training, resources, etc. limit the utilization of data. This information
barrier can be due to managerial, administrative, technical, and socio-economic-political.
Political and Administrative Barriers
Administrative barriers pertain to program design, planning, and the development of procedures. Barriers
like lack of a standard approach to data collection, downsizing, resource shortages, insufficient support for
ongoing education, and training may restrict environmental monitoring.
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Reasons for Environmental Data Vacuum
8. Lack of Environmental Education
The environment is everyone’s
responsibility. Lack of environmental
education had made people oblivious of
the climatic changes for a long time and
hence, the importance of monitoring.
Environmental education is more than
information about the Environment. It
allows individuals to explore
environmental issues, engage in
problem-solving, and take action to
improve the environment.
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Reasons for Environmental Data Vacuum
9. These gaps need to be identified and addressed to harness environmental monitoring programs fully.
Solving the technological, institutional, political, and legal challenges is not easy and need serious
commitment and more stringent actions. Failure to consider these challenges increases the chances that a
monitoring program will fail, and thus will affect the decision-making.
Fortunately, environmental awareness has already started gaining attention worldwide. Two factors that
contribute majorly towards the initiation of environmental inventory are technology and public participation.
Recent technological developments have offered compact, low-cost environmental sensors that have made
the monitoring quite affordable and effective. These sensors also have the potential to monitor a wide range
of variables automatically and analyze the data and convert the data to useable formats.
Common people are now aware of the climatic changes happening and are more responsible. They want to
know statistical data of their surroundings, which compels the authorities to explore and expand their
monitoring campaigns.
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Conclusion
10. Oizom is an Environmental IoT company. We offer end-to-end solutions using our environmental data
monitoring systems and analytical capabilities. Oizom has designed and developed Environmental Data
Analysis Software/Web application for detailed environmental analysis and visualization. This comprehensive
solution allows the authorities and stakeholders to make informed decisions to study air quality and design
action plans for improvement of air quality.
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Conclusion
11. Without us !
With us :)
Oizom Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
306 Indraprasth Corporate, Anand Nagar Road
Prahladnagar, Ahmedabad - India
+91-8866660025 | contact@oizom.com
Oizom - Savoie Technolac
House Boat 9, 12 Allee Du Lac De Garde,
Le Bourget du lac, France
+33 (0) 783426695 | hello@oizom.com
With us :)