SUMMARY - Who Owns Climate Data? Open Access and Equity in Research
Climate data powers everything from weather forecasts to insurance calculations to international negotiations. The satellites, sensors, and research programs that generate this data represent enormous investments; the resulting datasets have become essential infrastructure for understanding our changing planet. But who owns this data? Who can access it? And do current arrangements serve everyone equitably—or do they privilege wealthy nations and well-funded institutions while leaving others in the dark?