Overview
The NASA Earthdata Dashboard is an online exploration tool that provides access to NASA’s global Earth observation datasets. Its primary purpose is to help users discover, filter, and understand environmental and climate-related data across multiple themes. The dashboard supports visual exploration rather than deep modelling. Finance professionals may find it useful for contextual environmental risk and trend analysis.
Organisation behind the tool
The tool is developed and maintained by NASA, through its Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Programme. It forms part of NASA’s wider Earth Science Data infrastructure, which manages and distributes satellite and observational data collected through NASA missions and partner programmes.
What the tool does
- Provides a searchable catalogue of NASA Earth observation datasets.
- Allows users to explore data by thematic taxonomy (e.g. climate, land, water, atmosphere).
- Supports filtering by keywords, data categories, and scientific domains.
- Displays high-level metadata to help users understand dataset scope and relevance.
- Links users to dataset access points for further analysis or download via NASA Earthdata services.
- The dashboard is designed for exploration and discovery rather than direct financial modelling or forecasting.
Target audience
The primary audience includes Earth science researchers, data analysts, and academics. Other users include policymakers, educators, sustainability practitioners, and professionals seeking authoritative environmental data, including those in finance and risk analysis.
Relevance to finance professionals
- Risk assessment – Supports identification of climate and environmental hazards relevant to physical risk exposure, such as extreme weather, drought, or land-use change.
- ESG analysis – Provides underlying environmental datasets that can inform climate and environmental indicators used in ESG reporting and due diligence.
- Market and commodity insights – Relevant for sectors exposed to environmental conditions, including agriculture, water resources, infrastructure, and energy.
- Investment context – Helps contextualise long-term environmental and climate trends that may affect asset performance, regional exposure, and transition planning.
The tool serves as a reference point for authoritative environmental data rather than a decision-making platform.
