Tools & Resources
Educational materials and activities to support the Earth science community in quantifying the societal value of its work
Overview
The VALUABLES Consortium is working to build capacity within the Earth science community to quantify the value of Earth observations. Our tutorials, webinars, workshops, and digital media describe the terms, concepts, and methods scientists can use to develop rigorous impact assessments for specific satellite data applications.
With this knowledge, Earth scientists can play a more integral role in the work needed to quantify and build awareness about the socioeconomic benefits of Earth science applications.
Receive updates about the consortium's educational materials and activities by signing up for our email newsletter and following us on Twitter @RFFvaluables. More information is available, as well, on the NASA website.
Explainers
Explainer — Mar 5, 2019
Value of Science 101: What Is “Value”?
Value of Science 101: What Is “Value”?
Explainer — Mar 5, 2019
Value of Science 102: Measuring How Scientific Research Benefits Society Using Economics
Value of Science 102: Measuring How Scientific Research Benefits Society Using Economics
Explainer — Apr 22, 2021
Value of Science 103: Categorizing the Socioeconomic Benefits of Scientific Information, Part 1
Value of Science 103: Categorizing the Socioeconomic Benefits of Scientific Information, Part 1
Explainer — May 20, 2021
Value of Science 104: Categorizing the Socioeconomic Benefits of Scientific Information, Part 2
Value of Science 104: Categorizing the Socioeconomic Benefits of Scientific Information, Part 2
Explainer — Jun 24, 2021
Value of Science 105: Three Principles of the Value of Information
Value of Science 105: Three Principles of the Value of Information
Explainer — Oct 29, 2019
Video Explainer: Introducing the VALUABLES Consortium Impact Assessment Framework
Video Explainer: Introducing the VALUABLES Consortium Impact Assessment Framework
Explainer — Jul 22, 2021
Value of Science 106: The VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework
Value of Science 106: The VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework
Explainer — Aug 26, 2021
Value of Science 107: The VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework, Step 1: Identifying Improved Information and Its Alternatives
Identifying the decisionmaker, context, and alternative sources of information are all part of a crucial first step in an effective impact assessment.
Explainer — Sep 23, 2021
Value of Science 108: The VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework, Step 2: Identifying How New Information Influences Decisions
In the second step of the VALUABLES impact assessment framework, we examine how differences in information may influence decisionmakers’ actions.
Explainer — Oct 21, 2021
Value of Science 109: The VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework, Step 3: Identifying How Decisions Influence Outcomes for People and the Environment
In the third step of the VALUABLES Impact Assessment Framework, we explore the impact of decisionmaking processes on people and the environment.
Explainer — Jan 25, 2022
Value of Science 201: Monetizing the Value of Information
This explainer examines the methods and benefits involved in expressing scientific information in monetary terms.
Explainer — Mar 24, 2022
Value of Science 202: Quantitative Methods for Impact Assessments
This installment of our Value of Science explainer series describes how differences in outcomes between references and counterfactual cases can be expressed quantitatively to aid decisionmakers.
Explainer — Apr 19, 2022
Value of Science 203: The Value of Scientific Information When Future Outcomes Are Uncertain
In this explainer, we examine how researchers can use impact assessments to estimate the value of information in scenarios marked by uncertainty.
Events
Conference — Dec 5, 2022
VALUABLES Consortium Capstone Celebration
A special event celebrating the VALUABLES community, spotlighting consortium results, and looking ahead to the future of socioeconomic assessment for Earth observations
Webinar — Nov 14, 2022
Using Satellite Data and Scientific Information to Advance Environmental Justice: What Does Success Look Like?
Using Satellite Data and Scientific Information to Advance Environmental Justice: What Does Success Look Like?
Webinar — Oct 31, 2022
How Can Scientists Work with Decisionmakers to Understand How Satellite Data Really Influences Decisions?
A VALUABLES webinar examining how scientists and decisionmakers can improve their engagement to inform decisions and increase the value of satellite information
Workshop — Dec 17, 2021
VALUABLES Community of Practice Meeting
A presentation of research projects quantifying the benefits of using satellite data in socioeconomic decisionmaking.
Workshop — Oct 30, 2019
2019 VALUABLES Consortium Annual Workshop
2019 VALUABLES Consortium Annual Workshop
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
VALUABLES Consortium Grants for Assessing the Benefits of Satellites: Applicant Webinar
Webinar — Jan 17, 2019
Using the Social Cost of Carbon to Value Earth Observing Systems
Presented at the RFF-CMCC European Institute
Speech/Presentation — Dec 10, 2018
2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting
2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting
Webinar — Sep 4, 2018
Measuring and Assessing the Socioeconomic Value of Earth Science Data
Hosted by Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP), this webinar explores specific approaches and techniques that are currently being used and developed to measure and assess the socioeconomic value of Earth science data.
Webinar — May 23, 2017
Understanding the Benefits of Observing Earth from Space
Understanding the Benefits of Observing Earth from Space
Magazine Articles
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 — Mar 18, 2020
Satellite Data Can Inform Water Policy
Earth scientists and water managers can use satellite data to maintain water quality and availability.
Resources Magazine — Oct 9, 2019
Satellites Help Keep Communities Safe from Toxic Algal Blooms
Satellites can serve as public health heroes, passing along important information that’s gathered from the vantage point of outer space, protecting communities and saving them money in the process.
Resources Magazine — Jan 29, 2018
How Do We Measure the Value of Satellite Data?
The value of satellite data analyzed.
Resources Magazine — Apr 4, 2017
Capturing the Value of Data from Earth Observations
RFF’s Yusuke Kuwayama sat down to discuss the new RFF-NASA consortium to help experts better understand the socioeconomic benefits of Earth observa...
Podcast Episodes
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.
Resources Radio — Jun 16, 2020
Space: The Next Great Market Opportunity, with Michael Toman
Michael Toman discusses how collaborations between the public and private sectors can safely expand space travel and open up new markets.
Resources Radio — Dec 25, 2018
Sensing Pollution with Satellites, with Alan Krupnick and Daniel Sullivan
RFF Senior Fellow Alan Krupnick and RFF Fellow Daniel Sullivan join host Daniel Raimi to discuss how they are using satellite data to better measure air pollution in the United States.
Common Resources — Mar 13, 2017
Learning About Earth from Space: New RFF Podcast on the Value of Data from Satellites
In this podcast episode, RFF Fellow Yusuke Kuwayama talks about his research on water scarcity using data collected from satellites.