The World Bank has a handful of really great Open Data Climate Change Resources (1). Two of the resources I found particularly relevant to my study area, are the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, and Climate for Development.
The World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (2-3) is a great resource for Global Climate Data. The portal covers both temperature and rainfall, but also describes climate impacts on resources including water and agriculture, and outlines vulnerabilities caused by climate, including population growth, decline, and gaps.
Climate for Development (4) is similar, but looks at projected temperature and precipitation changes by 2100. It predicts temperatures of global croplands, changes in agricultural yields and how that affects GDPs, and populations impacted by floods and drought.
Climate data specific to Namibia can be found at the Namibia Meteorological Service (5), and the Namibia Weather Network (6). Both sites have data on annual climates, as well as daily updates on active weather patterns.
The World Resources Institute, CAIT Data Explorer (7) is another great open source climate tool. In addition to climate data, this tool also focuses on global emissions data.
Links:
(1) WB Climate Change Resources
(2) WB Climate Change Knowledge Portal Home
(3) WB Climate Change Knowledge Portal, Namibia
(4) WB Climate for Development
(5) Namibia Meteorological Service
(6) Namibia Weather Network
(7) CAIT Climate Data Explorer
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Mapping Tools
The maps below were created to practice using two types of mapping tools. The maps highlight popular Namibian biodiversity hot spots.
The first map was created with Google MyMaps. As a new user with little to no experience using basic mapping or GIS tools, I found MyMaps pretty easy to use. The instruction video is helpful, and the design is intuitive enough to get you started. I was comfortable identifying and marking places, but it was a bit harder for me to manipulate the line tools and clearly outline regions or parks.
The second map was created using ArcGIS Explorer. I was excited to try this tool, but found it was a lot harder and not nearly as intuitive as MyMaps. This program isn't compatible with Mac OSX, so had some difficulty there, but was able to find a Windows computer to use. I was able to understand most of the basic functions offered in the program, but then had a difficult time trying to share the completed map.
As a user, I found MyMaps much more enjoyable to use. It was a good introductory mapping tool, and feel like with a bit more practice, I'd feel pretty comfortable using it. I'd be willing to use ArcGIS Explorer again, but would need to spend time understanding how it works, so am not as easily frustrated.
The first map was created with Google MyMaps. As a new user with little to no experience using basic mapping or GIS tools, I found MyMaps pretty easy to use. The instruction video is helpful, and the design is intuitive enough to get you started. I was comfortable identifying and marking places, but it was a bit harder for me to manipulate the line tools and clearly outline regions or parks.
The second map was created using ArcGIS Explorer. I was excited to try this tool, but found it was a lot harder and not nearly as intuitive as MyMaps. This program isn't compatible with Mac OSX, so had some difficulty there, but was able to find a Windows computer to use. I was able to understand most of the basic functions offered in the program, but then had a difficult time trying to share the completed map.
As a user, I found MyMaps much more enjoyable to use. It was a good introductory mapping tool, and feel like with a bit more practice, I'd feel pretty comfortable using it. I'd be willing to use ArcGIS Explorer again, but would need to spend time understanding how it works, so am not as easily frustrated.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
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