Project Outline

Overview:

• Look at climate change mapping applications that combine scientific measures with human stories to reach the general public and inspire action
• Review Google Earth Outreach: Climate Change in our World, identifying strengths and weaknesses http://earth.google.com/outreach/index.html
• Suggest improvements and/or further site applications

Evaluating Existing Models

• Working with existing mapping projects and regional models showing climate indicators, we will investigate the feasibility of an international environmental mapping application that draws on crowd-sourcing to identify crises related to climate change and actions that can be taken in response.
• For each case study, we will ask: Who is the audience? How do users interact with the site? Does it achieve its purpose?
  • http://www.landscapemap2.org/wikiclimate/mapviewer A Central Washington University project in partnership with the Center for Spatial Information to showcase the "people's" view of climate change
  • http://geo.worldbank.org/ A mash up of Google Maps with World Bank data to provide a visual entry point to browse projects, news, statistics and public information center by country.
  • http://hub.witness.org/#tabs_map The Witness hub map displays community organizers who have documented human rights abuses in their region.
  • http://earth.google.com/outreach/index.html Google Earth Outreach gives non-profits and public benefit organizations the knowledge and resources they need to visualize their cause and tell their story in Google Earth & Maps to the hundreds of millions of people who use them.
  
  
  

Google Earth Outreach Model

A project of Google Earth to showcase and support grassroots organizations that address development issues

• Partnerships (MET Office, UK government, UNEP, British Antarctic Survey)
• Media training and resources (Open Data Kit, Crisis Response Team)
• Software grants
• Interactive elements (videos, message boards, blog, RSS feeds)

Challenges to Existing Models

• How to effectively combine scientific data and anecdotal data
• Credibility in crowd-sourcing
• Baseline indicators - are they used?
• Engaging local populations
• Measuring success
• Capacity to aggregate all data on single map
• Accessibility
• Site usability
• Visibility and promotion

Our Vision

Cli-Map is an interactive map that explores the indicators and evidence of climate change- on both a scientific and an interpersonal level. The goal is to aggregate a number of stories, which, combined with unequivocal data will signify the devastating impact of climate change. The site will strive to reach the general public to raise awareness and stimulate action, and additionally will connect communities affected by climate change to share experiences and adaptive strategies.

• Improve site usability
• Consolidate information onto one map
• Include videos and testimonials to increase local community engagement
• Provide on the ground media training
• Diversify grants
• Solicit project proposals for sustainable solutions
• Allow donors to identify specific projects to fund
• Provide a clear way for individual users to take action
• Incorporate climate prediction elements from Google Earth application to Google Earth Outreach

Who is it for?

Engaging Local Communities/Local Partnerships
• Development leg of project
• Technologies
• Training
• Local infrastructures
• Regulatory environment

Strategic Partnerships
• Gooogle
• NGO’s/Advocacy Groups/Environmental Agencies
• Scientific Community
• Lonely Planet
• Celebrity Endorsement

Implementation

• Curation
• Moderation
• Vetting
• Language barriers
• Local languages
• Non-profit or funded
• Legal
• Staffing
• Technology
• Measuring Success – short-term/long-term

Take Action

• Conclusions and Projections

Scientific Indicators – what are indicators of climate change.
•
Engaging Local Populations:
• Development section
• How to train
• How to benefit them
Strategic Partnerships and Networks:
• Advocacy/Policy Making: Audience (who and why?)
• Making change
• Using the program
• Advertizing the tool
• Strategic Partnerships – who we’re working with.
• Aggregation
• Human Network – Crowd-sourcing
• Network of Climate Journalism
• Lonely Planet
• Training
Models – Mapping:
• What’s already out there
• How can we improve on it – why is there a market for our product?
Implementation
• Curation and vetting
• Logistics
• Funding
• Language
• Profit – is this a non-profit
• Strategic partnerships – who will we be involved


Goals, objectives
Green Media tool sheet – NRDC