201 Veredas do Direito, Belo Horizonte,  v.15  n.31  p.201-224  Janeiro/Abril de 2018 BIG DATA, MACHINE LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: TECHNOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS IN DEFENSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT Carlos Alberto Molinaro Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Pontifcal Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS Email: carlos. molinaro@pucrs. br Augusto Antônio Fontanive Leal Doctorate in Law from Pontifcal Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Master and graduated in Law from the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS). Email: augustoafeal@gmail.com http://dx.doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v15i31.1142 ABSTRACT The purpose of this article aims a descriptive analysis of the contents of new technologies called “Big Data” and “machine learning” and, with these, make an approximation of the technologies, as environmental protection tools. The research will be divided into two essential topics: a) the approach and conceptualization of technological resources of Big Data, and the techniques of machine learning; b) an exposition of the improvement resulting from the use of Big Data, and of machine learning techniques, with the purpose of environmental preservation. By means of this, it will be possible to prove, from feasible examples, how the use of technologies can infuence and demonstrate a new direction for environmental preservation. Reinforcing the duty of the State and Society in the protection and defense of nature. The research was qualitatively supported by the hermeneutic method with the use of bibliographical and documentary research. Keywords: Big Data; machine learning; environmental preservation; environment.