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Press release
Published: 17 Nov 2009
As part of their
partnership combining cutting-edge technology
and environmental data, Microsoft Corp and
the European Environment Agency (EEA) have
expanded their Eye On Earth portal. A new
application, AirWatch provides information
on air quality to more than 500 million
people across Europe. For the first time,
EEA brings together both measured and modelled
data alongside citizens' observations on
air quality.
Eye On Earth was launched
in May 2008 with WaterWatch, an application
presenting water-quality data on an interactive
site powered by Bing Maps. With this new
update, Eye On Earth gets not just a fresh
look and feel for both air and bathing water
information, it also becomes one of the
newest applications built on Windows Azure
and SQL Azure hosting the Geo Observatory
Data Store. The site's user interface provides
interactive information from Europe-wide
to street level, based on data from air-quality
measurement stations and citizens' input.
It translates scientific data into easily
understandable terms.
In addition to near
real-time data on specific air pollutants
available from air-quality measurement stations,
AirWatch presents air-quality information
based on Europe-wide modelling covering
larger areas. This allows users to get an
indication of the air quality anywhere in
Europe and not only in the proximity of
measurement stations. Users will also see
how other viewers described the air in a
particular area.
"Our environment
is changing. We all notice small differences
where we live or regularly visit,"
said Jacqueline McGlade, executive director
of EEA. "Eye On Earth gives all of
us the opportunity to inform and be informed
of such changes. The Microsoft technology
behind Eye On Earth and AirWatch makes environmental
information much more accessible. As more
people understand what’s happening in their
area, more will contribute to solving environmental
problems."
"Addressing environmental
change requires a comprehensive and global
response," said Rob Bernard, chief
environment strategist at Microsoft. "As
a technology industry leader, Microsoft
is committed to creating solutions for environmental
sustainability and fostering connections
between governments and citizens by applying
leading-edge technology to help people visualise
the impact of environmental challenges.
Our partnership with the EEA is a powerful
example of different organisations — public
and private sector — combining their separate
areas of expertise towards a shared challenge."
By linking locally relevant
information from near real-time public observations
to scientific measurements, the AirWatch
and WaterWatch applications create an important
new channel for policy-makers and citizens
across Europe to communicate environmental
data. This feedback loop, facilitated through
the smart application of Microsoft technology,
provides a vital connection point between
Europe's people and the environment. It
signals a new era in user-centric environmental
innovation.
Eye On Earth also includes
features developed by Microsoft Services
in concert with partners such as mBlox Inc.
The EEA works with mBlox as its short message
service (SMS) transaction partner for the
Eye On Earth portal, leveraging its mobile
transaction network that can instantly send
a message to more than 3 billion people
across nearly 200 countries.
"SMS is an ideal
component of the Eye On Earth service, as
it is environmentally friendly and the ubiquity
of SMS means that the service is accessible
to everyone through mobile phones and the
internet, irrespective of international
borders," said Andrew Dark, CEO of
mBlox.
"It's good to see
continued innovation and a commitment to
interoperability through cross-browser support
from the EEA," said James Governor,
RedMonk industry analyst. "SMS support
dramatically lowers barriers to access for
environmental quality information for 500
million citizens."
In coming weeks, Eye
On Earth will be made available in 24 additional
European languages. Moreover, the portal
will continue to be enriched with other
environmental information from across Europe,
covering themes such as biodiversity and
noise.
About the European Environment
Agency
The European Environment Agency is the European
Union body dedicated to providing sound,
independent information on the environment.
The agency aims to achieve significant and
measurable improvements in Europe’s environment
through the provision of timely, targeted,
relevant and reliable information to policy-makers
and the public.
About Microsoft EMEA
(Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982.
In the region Microsoft employs more than
16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering
products and services in more than 139 countries
and territories.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT")
is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses
realise their full potential.
For more information,
press only:
Ms Gülçin Karadeniz, European
Environment Agency, +45 23 68 36 53, gulcin.karadeniz@eea.europa.eu
Jessica Smart, Weber
Shandwick for Microsoft, +44 207 067 0741,
jsmart@webershandwick.com
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For additional information
on the technical aspects of Eye on Earth,
please visit EMEA Microsoft press site.
