14 December 2009

As part of its initiative to use technology to improve access to timely, accurate and relevant environmental data, Microsoft has released Environmental Atlas of Europe (Atlas).

This online portal uses the intuitive interface of Bing Maps to allow people to view stories about the impact of climate change across Europe.

Atlas was launched during the COP 15 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and is another demonstration of the power of technology in helping citizens and policy advisers understand the issues that surround climate change.

“With the help of our Bing Maps visualisation technology, Atlas enables people to connect to the issue by visualising the changes occurring to our world today and provides another tangible example of how technology can contribute,” said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.

Atlas allows people to share their stories of the impact of climate change while broadening understanding and inspiring others to act.

Jacqueline McGlade, European Environment Agency  Atlas is a continuation of Microsoft’s partnership with the European Environment Agency and the development of the Eye on Earth portal that reports on air and water quality across Europe.

It will initially offer stories from nine places — Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Lapland, Netherlands, Poland and Russia — illustrating how climate change is affecting these areas and how certain projects are mitigating these effects.

The stories, which are accessed by clicking on the icons displayed in Bing Maps, are indexed using Microsoft SQL Azure according to the specific location that they relate to. The overall solution is delivered using Windows Azure, which ensures that the service is consistent, regardless of the amount of content being uploaded or the fluctuations in visitor numbers.

“Responding effectively to climate change demands not just effective policies but also widespread commitment to make a difference,” said Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of EEA. “We need more people to understand what is at stake and then act.

“The Eye on Earth platform has already made environmental information more accessible, allowing people to grasp what is happening to the environment in their neighbourhoods and across Europe. Atlas now takes this one step further by allowing people to share their stories of the impact of climate change while broadening understanding and inspiring others to act.”

Atlas is one of a number of solutions that Microsoft has showcased to delegates at COP 15 to demonstrate how technology can educate people and help change their attitudes towards climate change. Other solutions also showcased include: MapMyClimate, a new Web site that allows people to understand the impact of their consumer habits on the environment; Project2Degrees, a partnership with the Clinton Foundation that allows city authorities to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; FIAT Ecodrive, a dashboard tool that helps drivers improve their fuel efficiency; and Research4Life, a service developed with the United Nations to allow greater access to scientific journals and research.

More information about the Environmental Atlas of Europe is available on the Web site.
 

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