Today we live in the world full of technical capabilities. However, unfortunately many people are still demonizing new technologies. And this is unduly, because they are our faithful allies in the struggle for a prosperous life. And this struggle also implies adaptation to climate change. However, despite the fact that everyone is talking about climate change today, the general public is still “overboard”. Everyone knows about the problem. Only a few know about real risks. That’s where new technologies come to help us. We present to your attention “eight fantastic” applications and platforms which clearly demonstrate climate reality and allow to take an active part in solving the existing problems, as well as to get new knowledge on environmental protection. And all this in online mode.
Thus, for instance, NASA developed EARTH-NOW application which allows observing the current climate changes with the help of a three-dimensional figure of the Earth. Data is obtained from Earth Science satellites. The application provides data on air temperature, emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and water vapor, as well as fluctuations in gravity, sea level and its salinity indicators.
In turn, the World Bank developed Spatial Agent application. The purpose of this application is to conduct an educational campaign on climate change issues for ordinary citizens. The application contains historical data about the annual rainfall, different scientific observations and proposes possible scenarios. Provided satellite and time data are collected by different world organizations, such as NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), World Bank, etc. In other words, the user gets the opportunity to see a reduced model of our planet with all its imperfections. Spatial Agent application is designed absolutely for everyone, no matter who you are, an expert in the field of environmental protection or an ordinary student who cares about the fate of our planet. The application contains data for any taste and colour. Spatial Agent will answer all your questions.
“Ocean and climate” platform developed with the help of UNESCO also needs special attention. The fact is that the ocean is an important component of the global climate system. It occupies 71 % of the globe[1]. Nevertheless, for some inexplicable reasons, too little attention has been paid to the preservation of oceans in a struggle against climate change. That is why the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO initiated the creation of a platform that will allow monitoring the changes in the ocean. The motto of this platform is: “A healthy ocean, a protected climate”. According to creators, a very important task of this platform is to demonstrate that the ocean is not just impacted by climate change, but also is one of the solutions to a sustainable climate. After all, according to the data provided on the platform’s website, the ocean absorbs 25 % of all CO2 emissions.
Another interesting finding for the uninitiated public will be “Ecochallenge” application, which will explain to us how to reduce our impact on the environment. The application will tell you about sustainable development in a simple and understandable language. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “the world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed”. This is the very purpose for which the “Ecochallenge” application was created, simultaneously combining educational and entertaining functions. After all, in truth, we are all tired of the terrible stories, that our planet is on the verge of destruction. But, with such applications, people can stop being afraid and begin to act. The “Ecochallenge” application will raise awareness of the people on environmental protection and climate change, while keeping the public’s interest in these issues.
The approach used in the Russian application with the original name – “Maraquia” – is also remarkable. The purpose of this application is to involve people from different parts of the world in the conservation of the world’s forests. “Google Maps” service is used as an interface, where the foresters mark the territories of deforestation. Roughly speaking, the application is based on the principle of online store. However, in this case, buyers do not purchase material benefits, they buy fresh air for own descendants. “Maraquia” project is engaged in the restoration of forests in the National Parks, which have the status of specially protected sites. Thus, there is a guarantee that the forests planted by the application users will not be cut down.
As for the platforms created specifically for the needs of the peoples of Central Asia, the site http://riverbp.net/ established a platform for river basin management in Central Asia. This resource was created in the cooperation with GIZ and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia. The platform promotes regional cooperation on the preservation of water resources. A map of increased capacity, as well as a Map of Best Practices on the use of water, land and energy resources are available on the website for the water sector specialists in Central Asia.
In addition, creation of the online platform for greenhouse gas emissions monitoring in Kazakhstan was announced on February 2015. The electronic cadastre was launched with the support provided by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank. The new electronic resource - carbon.energo.gov.kz – “allows major issuers of Kazakhstan to transfer, capture data on greenhouse gas emissions, and also to trade quotas online”. Zhasyl Damu JSC is responsible for running the platform. As Sergey Tsoi, Deputy General Director of Zhasyl Damu JSC, noted, “The electronic platform is undoubtedly the product of the evolution of Kazakhstan’s emission control system, which will allow upgrading of MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) system to a higher advanced level”.
Also, another platform will be launched in the near future. It is Platform+ resource, the creation of which is scheduled as part of the implementation of the regional component of CAMP4ASB program (“Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for the Aral Sea Basin”), which we described in detail in our previous publication. Platform+ is initiated to eliminate the fragmentation of information products. In other words, this resource is focused on collecting all necessary climate change data within a single platform. Its main feature is that provided information products will be adjusted according to the specific needs of consumers. It is obvious that the needs for climate change information are not identical, depending on the target audience. But, with Platform+, the required information will be provided on time in correct format and for the right target audience. Thus, for example, information on the best agricultural practices and on the climate change legislation will be available on the platform at the same time. This method will allow the platform to be in constant contact with end users and thereby to monitor changes in their needs. Platform+ is the relevant information which is necessary and accessible for everyone. Announcement of the launch of this platform will be available on the information portal on climate adaptation and mitigation in Central Asia.
Today, there is a sufficient number of resources and technical assistants on climate change and environmental protection. Each of them performs its own specific and absolutely unique function. Some of them are aimed at concentrating the largest amount of data within a single resource, while others simply “train” us to use sustainable behavior in the format of games and puzzles. In other words, the necessary information about climate changes is already presented from all possible and impossible angles. But it depends on our desire whether to hear or not. We should always remember that the future fate of the Earth is only in our hands!
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Программа по адаптации к изменению климата и смягчению его последствий в бассейне Аральского моря (CAMP4ASB)
