Published: Dec 13, 2011
Last modified: Dec 14, 2011
A new global web service allowing users
to create maps and visualise data on environmental
issues is now live. The new Eye on Earth
global public information service brings
together vast amounts of data about the
environment in a powerful, visual format.
Environmental problems are increasingly
complex and interconnected. The good news
is that there is now a huge volume of environmental
data and information available, and it is
growing continuously. The new Eye on Earth
web service brings this data together in
one place, enabling anyone in the world
with an internet connection to combine and
analyse information on their environment.
Combined geographical
information layers
The
online service has been developed jointly
by the European Environment Agency (EEA),
an EU body and a leading environmental network
and information partner, the geographic
information system developer Esri and Microsoft.
The partners are showcasing the new service
during the Eye on Earth Summit in Abu Dhabi
from 12-15 December. Organisations across
the globe are now invited to join the network
and start adding data to the range of datasets
already available.
The web service takes the form of online
maps, which can be manipulated by users.
Without the need for any technical training,
people can choose to add a huge variety
of layers to the map – for example showing
pollution, social development, economic
factors, land use, transport and so on –
to create new insights. The creators of
Eye on Earth hope to add other data visualisation
functions in the future, alongside the mapping
tools. Maps and other data can also be saved
and shared through social media.
“Environmental problems are increasingly
complex and interconnected,” EEA Executive
Director Jacqueline McGlade said. “The good
news is that there is now a huge volume
of environmental data and information available,
and it is growing continuously. The new
Eye on Earth web service brings this data
together in one place, enabling anyone in
the world with an internet connection to
combine and analyse information on their
environment.”
Official information providers such as national
environmental institutions can upload information
from their vast networks of monitoring stations.
The EEA has already uploaded large amounts
of data onto Eye on Earth for free and accessible
use. This includes data on water, air, climate
change, biodiversity and land use.
Other organisations which have also uploaded
data include the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), the Joint Research Centre
of the European Commission (JRC), the U.S.
Geological Survey and the Abu Dhabi government.
Data from new European observation satellites
may also be added in the future.
The web service is aimed at everyone, from
scientists to academics, NGOs to individuals.
Moreover, Eye on Earth does not just display
data – it is also a platform where individuals
and organisations can upload their measurements
and observations, filling crucial gaps.
It aims to ‘crowd source’ information from
individuals across the world, and bring
in data from many different groups, including
‘citizen science’, indigenous knowledge
and lay expertise.
Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist
at Microsoft, said: “Transforming information
into insight is essential if we are to address
society’s massive environmental challenges.
By leveraging not only new technologies
enabled by cloud computing, but also doing
so in a way in which user interaction is
both simple and powerful, the EEA, Microsoft
and Esri are hoping to revolutionize the
way in which people can understand critical
information about our planet. We are excited
and honoured to be able to provide technologies
that help citizens become more aware of
the environmental impacts happening where
they live.”
Jack Dangermond, President of Esri, said:
“As soon as you open the portal you enter
an interactive geospatial environment that
has map tabs and search tools. You can start
playing with maps and data right away, opening
a base map, adding map layers, and publishing.
You may even join a map group. Suddenly
you realise that this network is going to
change the way we study environmental problems
and talk about solutions.”
The Eye on Earth global public information
service created by the EEA and partners
is distinct from the Abu Dhabi summit of
the same name, although the summit name
is inspired by the EEA project and the substance
of discussion is closely related. The summit
will address environmental and societal
information and networking, and its importance
for decision-making.
The EEA is actively involved in summit preparations
and discussions. It is hoped that the summit
will provide an impetus for information
sharing in the lead up to Rio+20, a sustainable
development summit to be held next June
on the 20th anniversary of the first historic
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
