The free app works alongside its users to achieve a more conscious, climate-conscious and eco-friendly world

Rapid access to information is one of the biggest obstacles we face as a human group in the Internet age. Earth Map is a free app designed to be easy to use and accessible to anyone with an internet connection who wants to observe any environment at any time, with zero expertise (or travel) required.

This new tool features an intuitive point-and-click interface with the program, offering further ease of use.

The researchers published their results on January 12 in the Journal of Remote Sensing. The authors emphasize the importance of getting their technology into the hands of the public who can make the change.

“Earth Map enables the transformation of big data into actionable information by all, thereby democratizing the application of remote sensing data. Enables a wider range of actors to take an active role in monitoring lands currently affected by human activities”said Carmen Morales, lead author and researcher at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

With a wide range of users comes a large amount of data that can be used for environmental monitoring and remote sensing applications. The Earth Map uses Earth Observation (EO) data to measure various parameters (such as temperature, precipitation or vegetation) to monitor the climate and environment and how it changes from year to year.

These parameters can be used to measure the proper management of natural resources and to give people insight into how human interactions with the environment can have immediate and long-term effects on the earth as we know it today.

“The next 10 years will be decisive in avoiding the catastrophic effects of climate change and mass extinctions. More than 3 quarters of the earth’s surface is affected by human activity. Therefore, it is more important than ever for countries, organizations, communities and individuals to be aware of the current, past and future characteristics and dynamics of the earth,” Morales said. Although 10 years is not a long time, it can take exponential improvements in policy change to lead to large-scale action.

Ideally, the Earth Map is a tool that can be used to introduce the topic of climate and land resources/use to users such as policy makers, research institutions and concerned citizens who have an interest but no prior knowledge of guided navigation software. the environment and climate analysis.

Since the climate is greatly influenced by policies enacted by government bodies, the aim would be to use the Earth Map as a starting point for decision makers at different levels to inform themselves of the current state of the climate and for the important policy changes enacted to avoid climate catastrophe.

“Using the application to its full potential, the Earth Map is a powerful tool for undertaking research on the world’s most pressing environmental problems and the implications of the climate change emergency and for developing science-based policy interventions, leveraging investment and sustaining livelihoods”Morales said.

The app will help provide valuable data to researchers and institutions to further delve into climate science and resource management to hopefully bring about a more sustainable world.