Partners
Global Data Networks
Host: FAO
GeoNetwork allows users to easily share geographically referenced thematic information between different FAO Units, other UN Agencies, NGOs and other institutions. The metadata search tool is employed by the Center of Excellence in Global Data and enables searching across multiple repositories of geospatial data.
On the Web at: http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/
Host: ESRI
The Geography Network offers several ways to discover and access geographic data for use with GIS software. Some data is available to download immediately or preview online while other data may be discovered from one of the many Web-based sources referenced on this site.
On the Web at: http://www.geographynetwork.com/data/
NASA-Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs)
Host: NASA
The purpose of the NASA-funded system of distributed active archives is to provide consistent and stable scientific data stewardship for NASA Earth Observation System data. There are currently nine data centers in the system covering the range of Earth science and related data. More information about the DAACs, their data, and their activities may be found at the NASA DAAC Web site.
On the Web at: http://nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/
Host: United Nations Environment Programme
UNEP-Global Resource Information Database (GRID) specializes in global data for environmental assessment and for early warning systems. There are regional centers in the following locations: Asia (Asian Institute of Technology-Bangkok), Africa (GRID-Nairobi), Europe (GRID-Geneva), Eastern Europe (GRID-Warsaw), Northern Europe (GRID-Arendal), and North America (GRID-Sioux Falls, South Dakota).
On the Web at: http://www.rrcap.unep.org/about/gcenter.cfm
World Data Center System (WDC)
Host: ICSU
The World Data Center (WDC) system was created to archive and distribute data collected from the observational programs of the 1957–1958 International Geophysical Year. Originally established in the United States, Europe, Russia, and Japan, the WDC system has since expanded to other countries and to new scientific disciplines. The WDC system now includes 52 Centers in 12 countries. Its holdings include a wide range of solar, geophysical, environmental, and human dimensions data.
On the Web at: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/wdc/wdcmain.html
Global Data Centers and Clearinghouses for Global Data
The following data centers provide data, or point to data, on subject matter related to global change, human-environment interactions, and sustainable development.
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), University of Kassel
Host: CESR
CESR research projects address regional and global environmental change, environmental change and human security, world water (strategic analysis and assessment), sustainable energy and materials management, and lifestyles and sustainability. From these projects the center had developed a number of global data sets (e.g., WaterGAP, a Global Lakes and Wetlands Dataset), that are available on request.
On the Web at: http://www.usf.uni-kassel.de/cesr/
Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)
Host: Earth Institute at Columbia University
CIESIN is a center within the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Working at the intersection of the social, natural, and information sciences, CIESIN specializes in online data and information management, spatial data integration and training, and interdisciplinary research related to human interactions in the environment.
On the Web at: http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/
CGIAR Consortium for Spatial Information (CGIAR-CSI)
Host: Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research (CGIAR)
CGIAR-CSI is an initiative of the many geospatial scientists within the CGIAR, that links the efforts of scientists, national and international partners, and others working to apply and advance geospatial science for sustainable agriculture development, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and poverty alleviation in developing countries.
On the Web at: http://www.csi.cgiar.org/
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Host: FAO
The FAO possesses numerous geostatistical and geospatial data sets addressing themes related to food production and security, environmental conditions, and sustainable development. They can be accessed from the following link.
On the Web at: http://www.fao.org/waicent/portal/statistics_en.asp
Host: UNEP
The GEO Data Portal is the authoritative source for data sets used by UNEP and its partners in the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) report and other integrated environment assessments. Its online database holds more than 450 different variables, as national, subregional, regional, and global statistics or as geospatial data sets (maps), covering themes such as freshwater, population, forests, emissions, climate, disasters, health and the economy. Display them on-the-fly as maps, graphs, or data tables; or download the data in different formats.
On the Web at: http://geodata.grid.unep.ch/
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
Host: NASA
A directory to Earth science data and services, the GCMD has data sets in the following thematic areas: agriculture, atmosphere, biosphere, climate, cryosphere, human dimensions, hydrosphere, land surface, oceans, paleoclimate, solid earth, spectral/engineering, and sun-earth interactions.
On the Web at: http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Host: IIASA
IIASA is a research institute focused on interdisciplinary studies on topics related to human dimensions of global change. IIASA research seeks relevance for policy makers and scientists.
On the Web at: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/
International Research Institute for Climate and Society-Climate Data Library
Host: IRI
The IRI Climate Data Library provides access to hundreds of data sets related to the Earth and environment. The Climate Data Library at IRI also provides access to a variety of tools ranging from analytical tools to visualization and mapping.
On the Web at: http://iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu/
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Host: IGES
The IGES is a research organization focused on policy research related to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of its Web site, the IGES provides links to various policy-related databases.
On the Web at: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/database/
Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP)
Host: MNP
MNP specializes in environmental, population, and global environmental change modeling. A recent emphasis is vulnerability to environmental change. Core models and data sets include IMAGE, EDGAR, and HYDE.
On the Web at: http://www.mnp.nl/en/
Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)
Host: Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University
Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SEDAC is one of eight Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), and the only one to focus on socioeconomic data. The role of SEDAC is to act as a bridge between the earth and social science research communities. The data it provides complement the Earth science and remote sensing data being distributed through the other DAACs. (See also: CIESIN.)
On the Web at: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/
