With the Eye On Earth project, Microsoft is helping the European Environment Agency (EEA) simplify the complex tasks of collecting, processing and disseminating complete and relevant environmental quality information to all citizens and governments.

 “It’s good to see continued innovation and a commitment to interoperability through cross browser support from the EEA," said James Governor, Redmonk Industry Analyst. "SMS support dramatically lowers barriers to access for environmental quality information for 500 million EU citizens."

Background

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union, tasked with collecting environmental data across 32 European countries (the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey) and providing an independent source for environmental information. This information supports EU institutions and EU governments in making informed decisions about improving the environment, integrating environmental considerations into economic policies and moving towards sustainability. It is also a crucial resource for Europe’s 500 million citizens who want to be informed about the environment.

Supporting EEA’s mission through the Eye On Earth project, Microsoft is working with interoperable technologies to ensure that information can be distributed to citizens using mobile devices.

 Interoperability

With the size and diversity of the European Union, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and locally relevant information in all countries is a considerable undertaking. EEA set out with the Eye On Earth project, in partnership with Microsoft, to develop the most complete, functional, and accessible system possible. The technologies of multiple devices and systems must work together seamlessly. And the data must be accesible by all citizens, using all types of devices and software.

 EEA’s Eye On Earth project is designed to:

• Collect current data from 22,000 water monitoring points in 27 countries (including historical data collected over the years ) and 1,000 air monitoring stations in 32 countries, and integrate it with historical data collected over the years

• Collect and integrate real-time feedback from any interested citizen, for the first time giving citizens the opportunity to supplement EEA data directly by reporting their own observations

• Utilise its legacy systems, including a system for modelling air quality (using Linux technology), combined with Microsoft’s advanced and scalable cloud computing solutions (Windows Azure and SQL Azure) solutions to assemble and process data in massive volumes

• From mid-December onwards, provide useful and timely information on the site in 24 languages, available to all citizens using any type of device or browser to connect to the site

The following data gives a more detailed view of how the Eye On Earth project must use different sources of information, different technologies, and different channels of distribution to carry out the EEA’s mission.

Collecting and processing data for Eye On Earth:

• The EEA collects air data in one of two ways:

  • Directly from the monitoring stations across 32 countries.
  • Through the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) who provides an air quality model based on five different air quality models and calculates in real-time air quality index based on Ozone (O₃), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and particle matter (PM₁₀)

• EEA’s computer system sends data to a Windows Azure Data Centre such as Microsoft’s Dublin Data Centre where the Eye On Earth application and the “Geo-observatory Data Store” are hosted

Public access to data from Eye On Earth:

• Air and water quality data is available anyplace, anytime

• Eye On Earth uses advanced Microsoft technology and an interactive map of Europe to provide a rich user experience with the web site, and the site allows users to add items onto their view of the map surface

• The Eye On Earth site will be accessible through the variety of web browsers Users can view and query Eye On Earth for air quality at any time and any place via their mobile phone and in their local language

• The Geo-Observatory is able to send users text message updates providing information on local air and water quality data.

For more information visit Eye On Earth at: http://www.eyeonearth.eu/. 

Comments (4)

# Graham Cliff

Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:56 AM

You are to monitor air, water and noise pollution. Why have you chosen to simply ignore light pollution?
You could ask that people report where they are, at what time of night and how many people are with them?
This information would aid with the CRC of reducing unnecessary light at night.
You would know for example where lights wasting energy were ON that were not needed.
See for example the Manchester Light Brigade -
http://www.lightbrigade.org.uk/

# Ludo

Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:44 AM

Thank you for your interest and comment on our article!
Eye on Earth is the outcome of a joint partnership between the EEA(European Environment Agency) and Microsoft. The selected monitored indicators that are published on EoE are decided in collaboration with the EEA’s priority mandates and their existing relationships with the 32 European country environment providers.
We of course plan the extend EoE with new monitoring indicators by end of calendar year 2010 but final decisions on which indicators to publish will be taken over the coming months.
We understand clearly the importance of light pollution and will definitely take this in consideration during the upcoming decision process on which indicators to publish next.

# T Gross

Monday, March 29, 2010 6:27 AM

Where can I learn more about the software interfaces in the backend of this demonstration? I understand the biggest promise of Eye on Earth is that data providers will be able to easily integrate their in-situ, real-time data streams. Everyone is building their own data portal now, most with cumbersome GIS interfaces. If this target is worthwhile, we need to get data providers using it as soon as possible.

# David

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:08 AM

Many thanks for your query and interest in Eye On Earth. The information from the following link - http://bit.ly/bCVp2C - should provide with the information that you require. Should you need any further information then please feel free to reply to this message.

Kind regards,

The Eye On Earth Team.

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Enter the code shown above in the box below

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail