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 have been 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.
Visit the website at http://network.eyeonearth.org/home/index.html
Leading Spanish economist Luis Fernandez has joined environmental solutions provider ACWA Emirates as Chief Officer Concessions for the MENA region to provide in-depth support for the company’s drive into the public-private partnership (PPP) sector.
for use in chlorine monitoring equipment after similar pumps were found less reliable. 
Welsh Water’s challenge to upgrade the sewage infrastructure within the £multi-million brownfield Swansea Waterfront re-development was facilitated with an innovative Hydro Vortex Drop™ shaft solution from Hydro International.
