Dr. Jane Goodall, Bill Clinton and Philippe Cousteau are all speaking in Abu Dhabi this week as part of the “Eye on Earth” Summit.
Environmental issues effect us all, but this week’s “Eye on Earth” Summit in Abu Dhabi is attempting to ensure that environmental data is also available to us all. The summit hopes to “enable global leaders, innovators and decision-makers to focus on an issue critical to the wise decision-making upon which our planet’s future depends: how to ensure effective access to the world’s expanding pool of environmental and social data by all of those who need it.”
Attending the conference will be some environmental big shots, including Dr. Jane Goodall, former US President Bill Clinton (whose wife, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recently lauded Masdar’s renewable energy efforts), and Philippe Cousteau (correspondent for Animal Planet and Planet Green, and the grandson of legendary scuba diver Jacques Cousteau).
The four day summit was organized by the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The representatives from the government, business, science, civil society and academic sectors will hopefully “strengthen existing efforts and inspire a search for unified, global solutions to the issues that preclude access to data.” The governmental officials will also be focusing on the role of environmental information in supporting governmental decision-making.
In addition to the panels and discussions that will take place during the summit, there will also be an exhibition that showcases environmental data technologies, projects and innovations.
Read more about Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi Prince Shames White House by Crowning Court Roof with Solar Panels
Greater Flamingos Return to Abu Dhabi Wetlands and Hopefully to Bu Tinah
A Greener Space Planned Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
