The law is generally thought of as unwavering, qualified truths. We often view data the same way. Data is supposed to show us what is really happening when analyzing something we don’t fully understand. I have spent the past summer at the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau where they combine data and the law a lot.

Data can help cities tailor litter reduction strategies by digging deeper to understand its root causes. By conducting research that is specific to an area, data-driven programs or policy recommendations—and lasting results—can become more feasible.

When it came to finding data for many of my projects, I was a spoiled. All I had to do is visit International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) Data Library, select the product and region I was interested and hit download. But that all changed this summer during my internship at the IRI with Pietro Ceccato.

Students should take away the basics of climate change and understand how climate impacts decision-making in their sector of interest. Enhancing their knowledge of the physical science is a must as well as understanding the importance of social science in the context of climate risk management.

Have you ever used GIS to analyze data? GIS — short for Geographic Information System — is a mapping tool that be used to turn datasets into useful information.

Data is such an elemental component of any science, and atmospheric and climate science are certainly not exceptions. Data allows us to test hypotheses, to document the world around us, and quantify observations. Data is what allows us to say the planet is unequivocally warming, or that it rained 1 inch in Central Park last night or that yes, a certain percentage of U.S. voters actually do support Donald Trump.