International Day of the Tropics: The role of open data in Europe’s mission for tropical sustainability
Open data focused on tropical developments emerges as a powerful tool in Europe’s global sustainability mission
29 June marks the International Day of the Tropics, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by tropical regions globally, which equal 40% of the world’s total surface. Europe is working on stepping up its commitment to tropical sustainability through the power of open data. Whilst Europe is not part of the tropic region, its influence on tropical ecosystems is significant through trade, climate policy, research and development aid.
The tropics have been central to global climate regulation, biodiversity, and food security for many communities. European institutions such as the Commission are actively involved in monitoring developments in the tropics, like sustainable agriculture, mitigating deforestation, and help fund biodiversity conservation in tropical regions. One of the tools developed by the Commission is the Tropical Moist Forest Explorer, which helps visualise datasets on moisture levels over three decades. Global support is very important, as the tropics have some of the highest levels of poverty and undernourishment in the world.
Europe is stepping up its commitment to tropical sustainability through the power of open data. Open data portals like data.europa.eu give access to environmental and socio-economic data of various countries within the tropics to those who need it. At the recent EU Open Data Days, experts demonstrated how FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles are being applied to climate and marine datasets which are crucial to tracking and planning climate-resilience infrastructure. The Sustainable Developments Goals also focus on food security and ending poverty, for which open data can be a reliable resource for creating suitable solutions in tropical regions.
On International Tropics Day, the role of Europe in conserving these global regions by bridging knowledge and action through open data is emphasised. By investing in collaboration and innovation, the EU is helping support tropical regions whilst reinforcing its own commitment to making a sustainable, interconnected future.
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