SCOast-DT: Creation and Deployment of Space-Based Digital Twins of Coastal Zones

Currently, more than two billion people live in or near-coastal zones at the ocean-land interface with almost a billion more living in adjacent low-lying coastal areas. These areas and populations are at risk from increasing storminess and longer-term sea level rise resulting in coastal erosion, water pollution, coastal inundation and ecosystems degradation. Earth Science Digital Twins, that is, the combination of data, models, and AI/ML technologies to simulate Earth system processes and enables short- and long-term forecasts, provide understanding and actionable information to reduce risks to humans, infrastructure and ecosystems. Satellite and in situ data are critical components of a coastal zone digital twin (CZDT) to provide timely and spatially relevant input data for models and serve as a check or validation of digital twin performance. This paper introduces a CZDT concept being developed as part the Space for Climate Observatory with joint participation of CNES, NASA and NOAA and shows initial use cases, satellite data and advanced technology components.