Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS) Providing scientific information for decision making Veronica Grasso, Ph.D. United Nations Environment Programme UNEP Mandate To keep the world environmental situation under review

WHY? Vision: Everyone in the world should have access to information about what is happening to his/her environment Mission: Providing scientific information for decision making Goal: Empower people with engaging environmental information Through GEAS, UNEP will become Information Broker of scientifically credible data and information to public and decision makers;

Scientific Research Earth Observation Systems Scientific News Local knowledge Sources Near-Real Time Information on Environmental Hazards (air pollution, Lakes water level, etc.) Scientific Findings Change Analysis OutputUsers UNEP and partners National Environment Ministries International Agencies Civil Society GEAS Component 1 Near-Real Time Environmental Hazards Alerts Component 2 Environmental Hotspots Alerts Component 3 Environmental Science Alerts Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS) Feedback HOW?

Earth Observation Systems and models SourcesAnalysis Screening Integration Synthesis Packaging Output/ Communication Web Service with Real-time Maps: Google Map, Google Earth Early Warning Alert: , SMS. Local Knowledge Ground Information GEAS Component 1 Near-Real Time Environmental Hazards Alerts HOW? Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS)

Screening Integration Synthesis Packaging Environmental Change case studies Google Earth Visualization 1973 and 2003 Iguazu, South America. Earth Observation Systems and models Local Knowledge Ground Information GEAS Component 2 Environmental Hotspots Alerts SourcesAnalysisOutput/ Communication HOW? Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS)

Screening Integration Synthesis Packaging Scientific Research Findings Science digest notes Malaria Early Warning for Sub Saharan Africa Recently, a group of scientists from the Center for Medium- Range Weather Forecasts in Reading, UK, developed a method for predicting malaria impact several months in advance. Malaria represents the most important parasitic infection in people causing more than 1 million deaths each year, mostly in Sub-Saharan ……. Unfortunately more often malaria treatments are not easily accessible and effective in Africa, especially to ones References Palmer T. N., Alessandri A., Andersen U., … GEAS Component 3 Environmental Science Alerts SourcesAnalysisOutput/ Communication HOW? Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS)

Use of standard format alerts: compatible with all information systems, warning systems, media, and most importantly, with new technologies such as web services. A partnership with Google and the news media is being explored Ongoing discussions to include GEAS in the GEO web portal GEAS could become a content provider for GEONETCast..Harnessing the power of new technologies HOW? Outreach and User Engagement

Profiling System Profile Manager Use this page to configure your preferences for GEAS weekly update. Fields marked with* arerequired. Name: * Secret question: * Answer: * Confirm answer: * Company: Country: delivery preferences: HTML Plain text Please select which components of the system you are interested in.Please select at least one component. Alerts Component (1) – information on environmental hazards in your area of interest Hotspots Component (2)–environmental change case studies Briefs Component (3) – news briefs covering new scientific findings Your address will not be disclosed to third parties without your authorization. By submitting this form you are subscribing to a weekly update service, which you can terminate at any time. Submit Select one Select theme(s) of interest Cyclones Earthquakes Fires Floods Volcanic Eruptions Select location(s) of interest Lat: Long: Add Give Feedback

GEAS live Demo GEAS – Near Real Time Component: Demo

GEAS – Hotspots Component: Google Earth Demo