The Deliver, Dialogue, Discuss, and Discourse (D4) Series at CREST

CREST hosted Dr. Alex de Sherbinin, Director, Applications of Spatial Data for Understanding Climate Vulnerability and Resilience (CIESIN), Dr. Dana R. Thomson, Associate Director of Science Applications, CIESIN, and Juan Fernando Martinez, Senior Research Staff Assistant, CIESIN under its Deliver, Dialogue, Discuss, and Discourse (D4) Series on May 13, 2025 at the City College of the City University of New York. The speakers focussed on Applications of Spatial Data for Understanding Climate Vulnerability and Resilience. The seminar was well attended by participants including CREST, NOAA CESSRST II, Earth System and Environmental Engineering & CCNY students, faculty, management, and several virtual guests. 

The CIESIN at Columbia Climate School (CCS) has been a leader in the development and application of spatial data for over twenty-five (25) years. This seminar highlighted how CIESIN’s interdisciplinary work supports better understanding of human environment interactions and climate risks, with a focus on urban areas and low and middle income countries. Presenters showcased examples from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and World Bank-funded initiatives, including the GRID3 Settlement Stack, Global Gridded Relative Deprivation Index (GRDI), City Segments database, and Climate Adaptation Opportunity Analyses (CASA). They also introduced the Integrated Deprived Area Mapping System (IDEAMAPS) Network, which fosters locally grounded and globally connected data ecosystems for mapping urban deprivation and resilience. The session concluded with a discussion on potential collaborations between CUNY CREST and CIESIN/CCS, including student internships, joint research, and data innovation partnerships to advance climate-resilient development in cities. Attendees were curious to learn about the topic and engaged through an insightful Q&A session. 

The goal of the D4 series is to engage with a community of researchers, educators, policy-makers, government officials and entrepreneurs and to D4 on topics relevant to Earth’s changing Environment & its impact on the society. D4 is facilitated through interactive seminars and workshops.