In an exciting move, the German Research Foundation (DFG) is investing about 860,000 euros to preserve endangered scientific data. This funding will enhance the PANGAEA platform, a crucial resource for geo and environmental sciences, ensuring vital datasets are stored and secured for future use.
PANGAEA, a collaborative effort between the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Bremen, plays a significant role in processing and archiving scientific information. Its focus on high-quality, structured, and open-access datasets makes it a trusted site for researchers worldwide. “PANGAEA is celebrated in climate and environmental research,” says Henrike Müller, Bremen’s Senator for Environment, Climate, and Science. She emphasizes that these datasets are invaluable in light of current global shifts.
As part of this initiative, three scientists will work on identifying and curating at-risk datasets. Their goal is to establish long-term strategies for data preservation. Frank Oliver Glöckner, who leads PANGAEA, notes that this project will improve data resilience and sovereignty in Europe, making essential climate data accessible over time.
Recent trends signal a growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding environmental data. In 2025, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cited the vulnerabilities of certain datasets, demonstrating the urgent need for initiatives like this. The data in question often includes long time series that provide critical insights into climate patterns. Dr. Janine Felden from the AWI highlights that losing such information could create gaps that significantly affect our understanding of environmental changes.
Overall, this funding represents a significant step toward securing important scientific data. By building robust infrastructures to protect these datasets, we pave the way for future research and knowledge. The implications for global science and climate studies are profound, illustrating the interconnectedness of research efforts and the necessity of preserving foundational data.
