In a changing environment, people often lack information needed to understand and solve local, national, and regional challenges. In order to address these challenges, we look to science and technology. Extraordinary work is being done in space to collect information about the Earth. SERVIR works to streamline access to data and imagery from satellites so analysts can integrate this information into tools and models that are accessible to those who need it most.

SERVIR SEA empowers decision-makers with tools, products, and services to act locally on climate-sensitive issues such as disasters, agriculture, water, ecosystems and land use. Leveraging advanced technology platforms and prioritizing a demand-driven approach to activities, the program is breaking new ground in using innovative approaches to help decision makers in the Southeast ASIA region better respond to a changing climate.

Innovative platforms and approaches

SERVIR SEA empowers decision-makers with tools, products, and services to act locally on climate-sensitive issues such as disasters, agriculture, water, ecosystems and land use. Leveraging advanced technology platforms and prioritizing a demand-driven approach to activities, the program is breaking new ground in using innovative approaches to help decision makers in the Southeast ASIA region better respond to a changing climate.

1. Private Sector Partnerships in Technology:  

   Google Earth Engine (GEE) provides free-access to a large warehouse of over 40 years of satellite imagery and the computational power needed to analyze those images. It also allows for custom algorithms to be written and applied using its warehouse of satellite imagery, thus revolutionizing the way applications of remote sensing are performed. SERVIR SEA continues to expand collaborative activities with GEE that relate to several priority tools, curriculum development and general capacity building. Esri provides SERVIR SEA and its partners with access to industry-standard GIS software and technical support. SERVIR SEA is pursuing a hybrid approach to on-premise and cloud-based GIS database management, provision of geospatial web services, and free-and-open access to geospatial data.  Google and Esri are providing SERVIR SEA with expertise from their developers to help our scientists and end users leverage this technology for crucial decision making. To support targeted and on-demand imaging needs, DigitalGlobe augments existing Earth observation data provided for free by NASA and other space agencies. SERVIR SEA employs this relationship for specific and necessary product validation.

2. Technical Assistance Request Mechanism: 

   As a demand-driven project, SERVIR SEA has taken great effort to ensure that initiatives meet the ongoing needs of the region in a way that is malleable to and reflective of a changing environment. A key strategic mechanism to meet this demand-driven approach is our technical service-request mechanism. This can be accessed on our website here and allows anyone to submit a request for technical assistance (e.g. for data needs, tool requests, etc.). Our team will align these requests with the mandate of SERVIR SEA and other existing initiatives to prioritize and address these demands on an ongoing basis.

    

    

3. University Partner Network: 

   SERVIR SEA has set up a network of focal points from universities in the region consisting of senior representatives and geospatial academics. The aim of this network is to strengthen in-country end user engagement, work towards joint research objectives, and help develop relevant curriculum and courses. These will all contribute to the program’s vision for long-term sustainability in the region. Currently, SERVIR SEA engages five key partner universities - Mandalay Technological University, Myanmar; Naresuan University, Thailand; National University of Laos; Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Vietnam National University-University of Science; however, this network is anticipated to grow as the program secures new partnerships.

4. Gender: 

   SERVIR SEA pays close attention to the way gender is considered in the development of tools and program design. We have put together a guidance document, Gender and GIS: Guidance Notes, that details how to undertake a gender analysis that will inform the production of GIS applications. The project is committed to understanding the linkages between gender, environment and development, and ensure gender-responsive programming within climate change initiatives.