In the present era, we find ourselves facing an adversary, born out of our deeds: climate change. Its pervasive effects extend across the globe, manifesting in rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, ecological shifts, and rising sea levels. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) estimates that floods are the most common and devastating natural disasters, affecting over 250 million people worldwide annually. From intensifying natural calamities and food in security to public health crises and triggering mass migrations, we grapple with an unparalleled array of climate-related risks.
Need for addressing climate changes leveraging GIS:
In the face of such challenges, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) emerges as a critical tool for understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change. GIS allows researchers and developers to collect, analyze, and visualize spatial data, providing valuable insights into climate trends and phenomena. Scientists can create climate models that simulate the impact of climate change on various geospatial features. This capability enables us to anticipate future changes and develop proactive strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
SPARC has been providing essential and agile GeoICT solutions to mitigate climate change. We not only monitor changes but also conduct comprehensive risk assessments, identifying areas most susceptible to the impact. Our technical expertise of 25 years, has helped various organizations to make informed decisions, enhancing resilience and minimizing risks.
We offer satellite-based GIS services that utilize ResourceSat-2 and Sentinel-2, that provide data with enhanced multispectral and spatial coverage. Data from these satellites are specifically helpful in forestry, agriculture, land resource management, and environmental monitoring, providing a high density of measuring points and millimeter-level accuracy.
How SPARC utilized GIS in addressing deforestation and degradation in the forests:
Our home is in peril, and year-round, we're dedicated to projects aimed at averting disaster. Take, for instance, the recent Uttarakhand forest fire incident; fire wreaks havoc faster than nature can regenerate. Monitoring forests is crucial in our battle against climate change, given their pivotal role in carbon sequestration.
Through partnerships with international organizations and governments, we're not only restoring thousands of hectares of forests but also instigating behavioral shifts within forest-dependent communities. We promote sustainable practices and foster community engagement to ensure lasting change.
Leveraging high-accuracy field data, we've developed a dynamic geodatabase for policy planning. By incorporating vegetation data and topographical insights, we've crafted detailed micro plans for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), Soil Moisture Conservation (SMC), and plantation activities.
Way forward:
As we face climate- linked disasters, the role of GIS in shaping our response and adaptation strategies becomes increasingly indispensable. GIS empowers us to understand the complexities of climate change, assess risks and vulnerabilities, plan for adaptation and mitigation, respond to climate-related disasters, and promote sustainable development practices.