IEDRO – International Environmental Data Rescue Organisation

IEDRO

The Importance of Historical Data

/ Article, News / By

Katherine Allison – January 8, 2026

History plays an invaluable role in informing and educating about how our world operates and the forces that shaped it. Just as history teaches us about the origin of societies and technologies, historical weather data teaches us about previous climate patterns and how people responded to them. Historical weather data are foundational to understanding how weather and climate patterns dictate daily life, but we are at risk of losing that valuable connection to the past. 

For 20 years, International Environmental Data Rescue Organization (IEDRO) has worked to rescue historic weather data before it is lost or destroyed. These data help scientists, researchers, and policymakers solve everyday issues. Rescuing data is vital as we face an ever-warming planet, bigger and more dangerous storms, and record-breaking weather9. Scientists and researchers want to know how climate change affects local areas and depend on weather data to answer their questions. 

In this article, we’ll discuss types of historical weather data, their utility to various industries, and the value of rescued environmental data. IEDRO is working hard to rescue environmental data before it is lost forever. IEDRO’s collaboration on data rescue projects has provided historical data that aid governmental planning and scientific analysis. These rescued data are used to address tomorrow’s real-world environmental problems. 

What is Historical Data: Types of Rescuable Environmental Data

Through the centuries, people have used several methods to document their observations of the world around them. Some of the earliest weather data records are 17th-century Japanese journal entries3 and 18th-century European weather almanacs4 describing temperature, rainfall, wind, and experiences of storms, disease, or crop failure. Other common historical weather records include pluviograms6, technical reports measuring rainfall and temperature numerically. Analyzed together, historical weather observations recorded in journals provide a complete understanding of the changes in temperature and rainfall levels depicted in numerical weather charts3.

IEDRO partners with organizations and countries worldwide to rescue and digitize environmental data. While IEDRO’s rescued data does not yet include records from the 17th or 18th centuries, it does include rescued data dating to the 19th century. These historical records are at risk of being lost, destroyed, or deemed unreadable by the passage of time. This includes observations handwritten on paper and those saved on microfiche or microfilm. IEDRO works to photograph and digitize these records so they can be widely used, shared, and analyzed. 

By rescuing historical data, IEDRO seeks to advance the understanding and utilization of crucial weather data. Recorded weather observations of rainfall, temperature, and wind speeds are just as important as other environmental data such as ocean temperatures and coastal erosion. These types of data help scientists and meteorologists predict storm tracks and severity, for example. 

However, as the International Environmental Data Rescue Organization, we know that we must rescue more than traditional weather data if we hope to increase our understanding and preparedness for the worst climate change disasters that lie ahead. 

IEDRO seeks to rescue other environmental data, such as ocean and coastal data, that can help explain impacts such as sea-level rise, ocean temperatures, salinity, and algae blooms. Scientists have observed that warmer oceans contribute to coral bleaching21 and the rapid intensification of hurricanes20,19. But there is much we don’t know. It is paramount to rescue historical environmental data so we can learn more and respond accordingly. 

The Use of Data to Improve Models and Forecasting

Environmental data play a huge role in societal functions and have the potential to do even more. Weather data, such as rainfall and temperature measurements rescued and digitized by IEDRO, can support improved weather and climate models. Environmental data affects the decisions of farmers, insurers, health officials, and architects, among other professions and industries. Additionally, policymakers, academics, and researchers benefit from readily accessible, quality environmental data. 

Weather forecasts stem primarily from advanced computer simulations. These simulations are built on historic data, so the more and better data they have, the more accurate forecasts they produce. Including historical environmental data rescued by IEDRO increases the utility of weather forecasts, providing the public and industry professionals with better details about upcoming weather. We benefit daily from the improved reliability of our local weather station’s forecasts. 

Improved climate forecasting has even greater benefits. Scientists can use computer models and machine learning to study historical weather patterns, current climatological trends, and dangerous weather events. These weather events, such as heatwaves and hurricanes, worsen because of climate change19,20. Historical weather data play a key role in building and training computer models for climate and weather predictions1,4,5. 

Climate Forecasts with Everyday Applications

Weather forecasts do more than tell us if we need a raincoat or sunglasses today. Dozens of industries rely on accurate weather and climate forecasts and benefit from the accurate predictions from computer models built with historical data.

For example, insurance firms4 are increasingly concerned about the high cost of natural disasters. They use climate modeling to determine insurance coverage availability22. 

Agricultural Applications

Additionally, the agriculture sector12,17 is vulnerable to weather events, both in the short and long term. Historical data sheds light on previous agricultural impacts and responses to weather events. In the short term, farmers and home growers need accurate weather forecasts to decide when to plant, based on factors like frost dates. Likewise, a long-term climate outlook influences which crops are most suited to particular, and changing, climates. Weather events, such as a hail storm, and changes in the climate, like significant drought, can greatly impact crop yields4,12, contributing to a rising risk of global hunger as climates change. Historical data can provide insights into how the environment influences crop yield and how previous societies grew different crops to maximize their response to climate. Knowing which crops are best suited to different regions and climates can ensure a consistent global food supply and prevent hunger. 

Crops and crop yields are also vulnerable to indirect weather impacts such as pests. The same weather models that forecast changing climates offer insights into which pests may be more prevalent. Thus, weather models can aid in pest control measures2, protecting crops, vegetation, and farmers’ livelihoods. 

Public Health Applications

Similarly, health experts10 can use weather data records and models to predict and mitigate disease outbreaks. Extreme temperatures and rainfall can contribute to such disease outbreaks. For example, warmer winters allow pests such as ticks and mosquitoes to flourish, spreading diseases to animals and humans. Environmental data can provide experts with the insights required to predict potential outbreaks so they can mobilize resources to prevent and mitigate widespread disease. 

Human health is also impacted by extreme weather and environmental impacts on the energy grid. Vulnerable populations, such as the sick and elderly, are at particular risk of power loss and extreme temperatures8. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, kill millions every year23,24. Better climate models can predict extreme temperature events and resulting mortalities11. These data help city officials prepare for extreme temperatures with short-term solutions like heating and cooling centers that reduce weather-related deaths. 

Construction Applications 

Finally, weather data and models are useful to develop long-term solutions. Architects and sustainable building designers8 can design infrastructure that withstands extreme temperatures and power losses. International historical data offers insights about building designs that protect against weather and storms. Architects and planners can use historical diaries and modern climate models to design housing and cities with sustainable solutions to extreme heat and storms8. Long-term climate adaptation is crucial and can be enriched with historical environmental data to better inform forecast models and solutions. 

How IEDRO’s Rescued Data Impacts Climate Decisions 

IEDRO’s work rescuing environmental data serves many purposes. While country data provides benefits unique to that locality, by ensuring digitized rescued data is publicly available across borders, researchers can use data for research beyond the scope of the original project. 

For example, IEDRO’s ongoing project in Panama seeks to rescue and understand historic rainfall patterns at Lake Gatun. This project, in partnership with the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama, sought to support the understanding of canal operations to maximize this trade route vital to the global economy. Lake Gatun provides the necessary fresh water to operate the Panama Canal and drinking water for residents of Panama City. In drought years, the canal water levels drop. This can make it impassable for some ships, significantly slowing down and increasing the cost of shipping goods. Further, it threatens the drinking water supply in Panama City. Conversely, in high rainfall years, too much water flowing into the canal can damage its mechanics, impeding the movement of ships and goods. This project has demonstrated the crucial role of data such as these in predicting severe drought as climate change impacts are felt more throughout the region. 

Another example of a country’s data with global benefit is Chile. Between 2004 and 2007, IEDRO rescued and digitized over 500,000 surface temperature records from Punta Arenas, Chile. Dating as far back as 1870, the observations were recorded by Jesuit priests and safely stored in a museum. Now digitized and stored in a NOAA database, these temperature records help scientists improve their understanding of global climate patterns and inform decision-makers across industries. 

The Value of Rescuing (Good) Data

We have only scratched the surface of the many applications of environmental data, and discover new uses every day. Earth is sensitive to the slightest changes, and the effects ripple throughout our lives. Worldwide, we’ve seen increased rainfall causing floods that devastate farms, wash away towns, and increase waterborne diseases. IEDRO is dedicated to rescuing historical data to protect current and future generations from the worst impacts of climate change. There are economic, social, and cultural impacts of extreme weather, all of which can be mitigated by utilizing historical data. 

Rescuing data is important and urgent, but should still be done with intention. Gathering data just to gather data is not judicious. Resources are limited, including the amount of time until humanity feels the worsening impacts of climate change. To ensure IEDRO utilizes its limited resources effectively, we verify if rescued data already exists to avoid duplicating efforts. 

Researchers, scientists, and policymakers depend on accurate data4,7.To support this, IEDRO ensures that quality, relevant data is rescued and stored in databases that can be widely accessed. While not all data can be publicly available, sharing as much data as possible is in society’s best interest to facilitate its use and benefit.

Join IEDRO’s data rescue efforts. You can support climate change research by making useful environmental data available to scientists, policymakers, and the public. Learn more and get involved at www.iedro.org. 

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