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2. Data: Thanks to Cleveland Water Alliance’s leadership, the Lake Erie Watershed is the largest digitally connected freshwater body in the world. Monitoring of our great freshwater resource is achieved through a telecommunications infrastructure and hundreds of Internet of Things sensors.
The network of sensors provides real-time data to utility, industry, research, and recreation entities across the region, with even more visible access to come. This is important in the Great Lakes region for many reasons, including preparing for increased vulnerabilities for Lake Erie due to climate change. The more we improve public appreciation for data as a useful way to understand and navigate the changing world, the more we reduce the risk of debilitating contention in our future.
Great Lakes Science Center has been strategically increasing our emerging technologies programs, with a special focus on data. This includes a program we have developed for Cleveland Metropolitan School District 8th graders that allows them to experiment with everything from manipulating data variables to using blockchain databases. We are also developing a new emerging technologies exhibition that will allow the public to explore the data-driven technologies that are transforming our region.
3. Value: Policymakers and industry leaders need to understand what drives the perceived value Northeast Ohio residents place on the Lake Erie Watershed.
People may value the lake, but it is not clear that we have given the public an opportunity to appreciate how much advanced manufacturing and other economy-driving industries rely on water. Since we do not currently struggle with water scarcity, it is harder to appreciate how water plays a fundamental role in creating the ordinary objects around us. A week without freshwater would impact far more than just sustenance and cleaning in our homes.
Adding context and relevance to the ways the Lake Erie Watershed drives our economy will increase public understanding of this valuable resource.
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