Sensor Webs Unwire Ecology 79
jonbrewer writes "Pioneered by CENS, Sensor Networks are rapidly becoming a mainstream environmental monitoring tool. The NY Times has an article today with a quick tech overview and info on RiverNet, EarthScope, NEON, and Neptune. The Times reports 'scientists want to deploy millions of these kinds of devices over large tracts for long periods, opening new windows on nature.'"
yeah, to study nature (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Impact? (Score:5, Insightful)
But how are we to study these environments (and hopefully learn how not to screw them up anymore than we already have) without some human interaction? We are on this planet. Interaction is going to happen. Maybe these little sensors are less intrusive than other ways of monitoring.
Re:I wonder how much the "cool" factor influences. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:yeah, to study nature (Score:3, Insightful)
With the large number of libertarian and conservative pundits and lobbyists who are claiming that environmentalism is rubbish (Lomborg for instance...), I welcome more hard data to refute them with.
closing (Score:4, Insightful)
Which ofcourse will be closed with a simple click on the right top corner by politicians who think that the short term economy is much more important.
Not thinking about how much it will cost (in terms of money and health) in the long run to undo (if still possible) the stupid decisions made now.