The theme “Open Data and Information for a Changing Planet” encompasses some relevant issues in data-intensive scientific fields. Nurturing an open environment for data and information is crucial for disseminating research results to a wide audience and allowing thorough, collaborative analysis. Also, the theme distinguishes between data and information and by so doing highlights the role data-intensive science plays in transforming raw observations into applicable, intelligible results and discoveries. Furthermore, the theme emphasizes that our scientific endeavors, and the data that sustain them, are key to providing reasoned solutions to the problems we face with climate change, population pressure, natural hazards, and other global issues. The theme supports not only the mission of CODATA, but that of ICSU, as it strives to strengthen international science for the benefit of society.
