More specifically, in this paper we argue that Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for Geospatial Applications (FOSS4G) can play an important role in data collection, creation of components, integration of information systems, stakeholders’ engagement, and dissemination of information that will be essential for the realization of the FE vision. Citation2012 Brovelli, Zamboni, and Muñoz Citation2015).Īmong the multiple areas where collaboration will be needed to implement FE as a DE-based platform for strategic and integrated Earth system research, geospatial information science and technologies will be essential (Craglia et al.

Recently several authors have argued that, although a number of elements envisioned by Gore have become a reality, some gaps still exist and they propose a new conceptualization of DE more in line with the fast societal and technological changes (Annoni et al. DE was conceived by Al Gore in 1998 as a multi-scale, multi-resolution, three-dimensional representation of the planet allowing students, scientists, policy-makers, and all societal sectors to spatio-temporally navigate and manage geo-referenced information (Gore Citation1998). While FE is conceived as a global research platform for co-creating and co-developing knowledge, Digital Earth (DE) is the technological framework and infrastructure to realize the FE vision and goals.

This complex context and ambitious goals require to bring to bear not only the best minds, but also the best science and technologies available. Being a global effort, the development, integration, and distribution of the information envisioned to be part of FE will occur in very diverse technological, institutional, socio-cultural, and economic contexts around the world. These interactions take place across multiple spatial and temporal scales. It is designed to provide a fundamental, holistic understanding of the interconnections between natural and human drivers of change, the resulting environmental changes, and their implications for human well-being (Future Earth Secretariat Citation2013). FE focuses on three main research themes: Dynamic Planet Global Sustainable Development and Transformations Towards Sustainability (Future Earth Secretariat Citation2014). We provide information and resources to assist the readers in carrying out their own assessments to select the best FOSS4G solutions for their particular contexts and system development needs.įuture Earth (FE) is a 10-year international research initiative that emerged in 2011 to create a global environmental change research platform to provide more useful and accessible knowledge for decision-makers, and to support the acceleration of the transformation to a sustainable world (Future Earth Secretariat Citation2013 Future Earth Norway Secretariat Citation2015). We provide examples of large-scale, sophisticated, mission-critical applications of each software to illustrate their power and capabilities in systems where they perform roles or functionality similar to the ones they could perform as part of DE and FE. In this paper we point to a selected set of some of the most mature and reliable FOSS4G solutions that can be used to develop the functionality required as part of DE and FE. Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial Applications (FOSS4G) offers mature, capable and reliable software to contribute to the creation of this infrastructure. This complex context and ambitious goals require bringing to bear not only the best minds, but also the best science and technologies available.

Digital Earth DE) necessary to support the vision and goals of Future Earth (FE) will occur in a distributed fashion, in very diverse technological, institutional, socio-cultural, and economic contexts around the world. The development, integration, and distribution of the information and spatial data infrastructure (i.e.

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