The Role of Big Data in Climate Change Analysis in South Africa
South Africa is no stranger to the devastating impact of climate change, with the country facing new climatic challenges due to its geographic location on the southernmost point of the continent. Due to the constantly-changing climate, South African farmers, municipalities and businesses have begun employing the most advanced technologies, such as big data analytics, to remain prepared and aware of threats posed by climate change.
Big data is a way to analyze the large, complex datasets that come from a variety of sources. It involves combining many types of data from multiple sources to find patterns, gain insights, and create efficient solutions to questions. This data can come from anything like social media, connected devices, or weather sensors. With the ability to store, process, and analyze unprecedented amounts of data, big data technologies can naturally be used for climate change analysis.
By combining a variety of data sources and information from sensors, big data analytics can provide a far more accurate forecast of changes to come. In 2016, a consortium of South African farmers and the Water Research Commission formed a partnership with IBM to integrate the country’s national water policies into the decision-making process. The project focused on analyzing data generated by satellites, climate stations and even ground-level observation to gain knowledge on patterns linked to extreme weather events.
The use of big data analytics can also help signal important shifts in global temperature changes. By studying ocean surface temperature data, researchers can now forecast regional changes in global precipitation patterns, climate variability, and even the pace of global warming.
In addition to global temperature and precipitation forecasts, big data can be used to observe, measure and better understand the local impacts of climate change in South Africa. Big data analytics can, for example, provide a comprehensive view of the water resources available in an area and any changes that may lead to water shortages.
Big data can also be used to take a closer look at land cover and its effects on nearby plants and animals, including crop yields and the migration of endemic species, a phenomenon known as “ecological displacement.” Moreover, tracking larger species, like turtles and whales, as well as human activity, can help researchers gain a better understanding of ocean health, ocean productivity and establish strategies for species conservation.
Data collected isn’t restricted to just South Africa. As part of a global study, data collected from satellites, weather stations, and other sources in South Africa can be shared with other countries to identify similarities and understand the effects of climate change over a larger region. This type of global collaboration is essential and can help inform the development of more effective climate change policy.
Though big data is not a complete long-term solution to climate change, it is an essential tool in understanding its impacts on the environment. The data and analysis provided by big data can be used to develop impact assessment and mitigation strategies, as well as assist in the forecasting of climate events, making it one of the most important tools available to those dealing with the consequences of climate change. With the right data and technology tools, South African businesses, farmers and municipalities can better prepare for the future and ensure their sustainability.
QikTruck’s Role in Climate Change Analysis
One company that is well-positioned to help South African businesses, farmers, and municipalities make the most of big data technologies is QikTruck. QikTruck is an on-demand truck and driver hire service with the quickest turn-around time in the industry, allowing customers to quickly and affordably move goods from one place to another.
By providing its users access to reliable transportation and experienced drivers, QikTruck can help organizations with data collection and analysis of climate-related events such as extreme weather events. QikTruck can also help users deliver goods to locations where climate variability is expected or damages have occurred, such as drought or extreme temperatures. In doing so, QikTruck can help ensure timely delivery of goods and provide businesses, farmers and municipalities with peace of mind that their goods are taken care of.
With access to on-demand truck and driver hire services, businesses, farmers, and municipalities have the opportunity to move goods more quickly and affordably. QikTruck can help alleviate some of the transportation and transport-related costs that can be associated with climate change-related events, allowing businesses and organizations to focus on more pressing matters. Through its reliable, affordable trucking services, QikTruck helps users get to their respective destinations faster and allows them to continue their work without having to invest additional resources in transportation.
Conclusion
Big data technology presents an unprecedented opportunity to analyze, predict and respond to the changes brought about by climate change. By merging the most advanced technologies with on-demand transport services, South African businesses, farmers and municipalities can better prepare for the future and remain more resilient in the face of environmental changes. QikTruck is well-positioned to help customers do just that.