Preface

Environmental protection and nature conservation have become the focus of society, politics and the economy. More people than ever are becoming aware of what it means for them if the planetary boundaries continue to be exceeded. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that the way we are used to working, doing business, consuming, being mobile, traveling, eating, etc. must change fundamentally and that ways must be found to shape all of this not against but with nature and the environment. And although many new steps have already been taken, from the Paris Climate Agreement to climate protection legislation in Germany and the European Union, the pace of change must be increased in all areas.

At the same time, the accelerated digitalization of all areas of life is calling the familiar into question, business models of entire key industries are no longer functioning, personal and political forms of communication are changing the way we talk and discuss, and as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, our working world is being completely digitalized. The socio-ecological and digital transformation is reaching a new stage.

This is the context in which the 3rd edition of this important textbook on environmental information systems is being published. There could not be a better time. With the tectonic changes in our world outlined above, we are experiencing an increase in the importance of computer science applications that the authors of the first and second editions could hardly have imagined.

The transformational challenges of our time need to be shaped - indeed, they can only be mastered if they are based on interoperable environmental (geo)data. Environmental information systems are the key to making environmentally friendly and nature conservation-friendly action possible, just as digitalization as a whole is a prerequisite for the success of the energy, transport and food transitions. They do not solve our challenges as a technology, but without digitalization as a technological tool, the socio-ecological transformation will not work. Decentralized renewable energies need digital control for security of supply, environmentally friendly transport needs digital applications, to name just two examples.

The same applies to traditional environmental policy issues. Measuring and monitoring, whether locally or globally, requires digital measurement networks and remote sensing. Scenario assumptions for climate adaptation, for example, require data-based models, preferably with street-level accuracy. The prosecution of poachers and the conviction of environmental criminals must be able to draw on digital enforcement data, to name just a few examples.

At the same time, data opens up new options: For example, digital sensor technology can help resolve the dilemma of species protection and wind energy if rotor blades detect approaching birds at an early stage and control short-term shutdowns. Building information modeling supports planners and approval authorities in their work and will even enable agile (and therefore digitally supported) processes in the future that can shorten approval times. The development of business models can be compared with environmental data to provide early indications as to whether the idea is in line with planetary boundaries. The circular economy needs reliable data at the “transfer points” in order to function in (often global) value chains; product passports and digital twins are tools that are being used. A few examples and “peepholes” into the future that show that Without environmental information systems, nothing will work in shaping the future. They are the instruments for an ecologically and economically sound future.

With its Digital Agenda for Environmental Policy, which is unique in Europe, the Federal Environment Ministry demonstrated in 2020 how important it is to link sustainability with digitalization. Future environmental politicians, planners and administrations at all levels need a basic digital understanding for their work. This 3rd edition not only provides the tools for this, but also shows the fascinating possibilities that arise from environmental information systems in order to shape our future ecologically. After all, this is also what the socio-ecological transformation is all about: the desire to shape it using state-of-the-art technologies with a clear focus on objectives. The next two decades will be decisive decades for the lives of everyone on this planet. All generations and professions must play a part in this. Environmental authorities will evolve into “places” where reliable data can be found for everyone and where all actors involved in the transformation can exchange ideas to find the best solutions. Everyone should have this basic book in their pocket.
 

Berlin, February 2021                                                       

Ministerial Director Dirk Meyer from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection