
Impact Assessments
Learn about the socioeconomic benefits that Earth observations provide when people use them to make decisions.
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Tools & Resources
Browse our educational materials—including a new video explainer introducing our impact assessment framework—and learn more about our activities to support the Earth science community in quantifying the societal value of its work.
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Resources Radio — Mar 23, 2021
Space, Satellites, and Society: New Tools for Policymakers, with Danielle Wood
Danielle Wood describes how novel space technologies can protect fragile ecosystems and empower historically underserved communities.

Common Resources — Feb 9, 2021
Estimating the Value of NOAA’s Digital Coast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains a website, the “Digital Coast,” that hosts a variety of useful tools for coastal management. New RFF research estimates the economic value of uses of the site and finds sizable benefits.

Press Release — Feb 9, 2021
A NOAA Website Offers Free Tools, Data, and Trainings—and Provides Millions of Dollars in Societal Value
An RFF report examines ways in which the Digital Coast, an online platform run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, creates societal value through better-informed decisionmaking on coastal issues.

Report — Feb 9, 2021
The Societal Value of NOAA's Digital Coast
An RFF report examines ways in which the Digital Coast, an online platform run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, creates societal value through better-informed decisionmaking on coastal issues.

Journal Article — Oct 22, 2020
Monetising the Savings of Remotely Sensed Data and Information in Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Wildfire Assessment
A journal article published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire assesses the cost-effectiveness of using satellite imagery to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety.

Journal Article — Jun 18, 2020
Quantifying the Human Health Benefits of Using Satellite Information to Detect Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms and Manage Recreational Advisories in US Lakes
This article presents an impact framework to estimate the socioeconomic benefits of satellite remote sensing for detecting cyanoHABs and managing recreational advisories at freshwater lakes.

Workshop/Seminar — Oct 30, 2019
2019 VALUABLES Consortium Annual Workshop
The VALUABLES Consortium's workshop is an annual gathering of economists, NASA experts, Earth scientists, decisionmakers, and thought leaders.

RFF Live — Oct 30, 2019
Taking the Pulse of a Changing Planet
Watch experts discuss past, present, and future opportunities in applications of satellite data.

Webinar — Oct 16, 2019
VALUABLES Consortium Grants for Assessing the Benefits of Satellites: Applicant Webinar
Learn more about the VALUABLES Consortium's GABS funding opportunity.

Press Release — Feb 9, 2021
A NOAA Website Offers Free Tools, Data, and Trainings—and Provides Millions of Dollars in Societal Value
An RFF report examines ways in which the Digital Coast, an online platform run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, creates societal value through better-informed decisionmaking on coastal issues.

Press Release — Jun 24, 2020
Early Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms Using Satellites Improves Management Decisions and Human Health Outcomes
As Americans head to the shores and lakefronts this summer, a new analysis reveals just how valuable satellites-based detection of harmful algal blooms can be in protecting visitors and residents alike.

Press Release — Jun 11, 2020
RFF Awards $300,000 to Researchers to Quantify the Economic and Societal Benefits of Satellites
RFF and NASA Fund Three Projects to Assess the Benefits of Satellites

Resources Radio — Mar 23, 2021
Space, Satellites, and Society: New Tools for Policymakers, with Danielle Wood
Danielle Wood describes how novel space technologies can protect fragile ecosystems and empower historically underserved communities.

Common Resources — Feb 9, 2021
Estimating the Value of NOAA’s Digital Coast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains a website, the “Digital Coast,” that hosts a variety of useful tools for coastal management. New RFF research estimates the economic value of uses of the site and finds sizable benefits.

Resources Magazine — Oct 22, 2020
Space: The Next Great Market Opportunity
Michael Toman, lead climate change economist at the World Bank’s Development Research Group, discusses on the Resources Radio podcast the commercialization and privatization of outer space.