Environmental Grand Challenges: On the tools needed to meet them
image: Environmental Grand Challenges: on the tools needed to meet them
Credit: Big Earth Data
A recent study in Big Earth Data presents an integrated framework for addressing Environmental Grand Challenges (EGCs), emphasizing that challenges like climate change and air pollution must be tackled collectively rather than in isolation. The authors highlight the necessity of leveraging multi-disciplinary tools—ranging from open science and advanced research infrastructures to AI-assisted data processes and science diplomacy—to navigate shifting geopolitical and societal landscapes. By detailing the success of Finland’s Atmosphere and Climate Competence Centre (ACCC), the study provides a scalable model for a self-sustaining Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystem built upon five interconnected pillars: interdisciplinary research, open-access big data, specialized education, policy dialogue, and business innovation. Ultimately, the paper argues that seamless integration from basic science to practical solutions is critical for achieving carbon neutrality and managing the environmental impacts of future global urban growth.
Citation
Kulmala, M., Lappalainen, H. K., & Kujansuu, J. (2025). Environmental Grand Challenges: on the tools needed to meet them. Big Earth Data, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/20964471.2025.2581424
Big Earth Data is an interdisciplinary Open Access journal which aims to provide an efficient and high-quality platform for promoting the sharing, processing and analyses of Earth-related big data, thereby revolutionizing the cognition of the Earth’s systems. The journal publishes a wide range of content, including Research Articles, Review Articles, Data Notes, Technical Notes, and Perspectives. It is now included in ESCI (IF=3.8, Q1), Scopus (CiteScore=9.0, Q1), Ei Compendex, GEOBASE, and Inspec. Starting from 2023, Big Earth Data has announced a new award series for authors: Best and Outstanding Paper Awards.