February 10 2025
The process of safeguarding governmental data before it becomes irretrievably lost is currently underway, as detailed in a report from The New York Times. The article highlights the importance of data preservation for future research, public policy, and decision-making processes.
Over the last few years, the government has increasingly digitized its records. However, the transition from paper to digital does not guarantee permanent access to these records. The threat of data loss, whether due to political shifts or technological failures, is ever-present.
To combat this, groups like DataRefuge and the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) have sprung up. They work to download, save, and re-upload government data to ensure it remains accessible. Their focus is primarily on climate and environmental data, which is at particular risk due to the current political climate.
While these groups are making significant strides, the task is gargantuan. Government data is vast and varied, making it a challenge to download and store. The process is further complicated by the fact that much of this data is not simply text. It includes complex databases, satellite imagery, and other forms of data that are not easily downloadable.
The urgency of this task is clear - once data is lost, it is gone forever. Efforts to preserve it are critical to ensuring that future generations have access to the full history of governmental decision making, allowing them to make informed decisions based on past outcomes.
