Introduction

Observ.Earth is a systems research initiative that makes invisible risks visible.

We uncover how energy infrastructure, water systems, agriculture, and governance interact — often in ways overlooked by conventional monitoring.

Our flagship project, Observ.ar, focuses on Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale basin. Through spatial analysis, satellite imagery, and community engagement, we expose the trade-offs and blind spots in extractive development.

Our Mission

We aim to bring clarity to complexity.

Our work empowers decision-makers, funders, and communities with actionable insight — so they can act early, ethically, and effectively in the face of environmental and social risk.

Why We Exist

Regions like Vaca Muerta are at the center of a global dilemma: the push for energy security is accelerating resource extraction in places where governance is fragmented, water is scarce, and local communities carry the risk.

Yet many of these dynamics remain invisible — buried in disconnected data, overlooked impacts, and inaccessible systems.

Our Commitments

We are committed to:

• Scientific integrity – All work is peer-reviewed and replicable
• Collaborative research – We co-design with local partners
• Open knowledge – Our data and methods are publicly available
• Environmental justice – We surface risk for those most affected
• Transparency – We create data platforms that are open and shared equitably

Who We Work With

Our team collaborates with:

• Local researchers and environmental experts
• Independent environmental institutions
• Government bodies
• International funders and knowledge partners

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Our Approach

We use systems thinking and spatial intelligence to see beyond silos.

Our methodology integrates:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Machine learning for predictive land-use mapping
• Satellite imagery (PlanetScope, 3m resolution)
• Integrated Modeling tools and climate change impacts
• Local knowledge and community-based validation
• Peer-reviewed environmental and social science research

We don’t just observe — we map the leverage points for environmentally responsible transitions.

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Where We Work

Our current work centers on the Limay, Neuquén, and Negro River basins, which support:

• Over 1 million people
• 150,000+ hectares of orchards and farmland
• Systems of multipurpose reservoirs for hydropower, irrigation, recreation, and human consumption

These rivers also feed the fracking zones of Vaca Muerta — creating layered tensions between water use, food systems, and energy extraction.

Our platform makes these dynamics visible through interactive spatial indicators, open data, and tools.

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Meet the Team

We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers, spatial analysts, modelers, and trainers— combining international expertise with local grounding.

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Learn More