Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>I advance the following argument: (1) Coupled observation of humans and nature at large scale is important to many fundamental questions of sustainability. (2) Current programs observing natural and social systems are inadequate to address fundamental questions of sustainability at coarse scale. (3) Water is an attractive medium around which to design an observation program, and water researchers agree on many characteristics of water‐related data needed to advance sustainability science. (4) A program of coupled observation around water will need to be (a) realistic about attainable scope, (b) design data collection scientifically to be representative at useful scale(s) and of both humans and the hydrosphere, (c) leverage existing data collection programs, (d) explore new ways of protecting privacy while enhancing spatial resolution of data and (e) include data on social institutions as well as individuals.</jats:p>