Data portal mapping the future of climate migration
As our planet changes, a complex challenge that has emerged is climate change-induced human migration. Millions are being forced to leave their homes, seeking safety and stability. Recognizing this critical issue, the United Nations (UN) leads coordinated efforts to support vulnerable communities.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, promotes orderly and humane migration that benefits all. We had a great opportunity to join forces with IOM, contributing our expertise to a data-driven solution that sheds light and raises awareness on this complex issue.
IOM’s commitment
Recognizing the urgency of climate change and its profound impact on human mobility, IOM has taken a leading role in addressing this global challenge. At the recent COP28 (28th United Nations Climate Change Conference) summit in Dubai, IOM aimed to foster international collaboration and drive ambitious action towards a low-emission and climate-resilient future.
As part of its strategic approach, IOM’s Global Data Institute (GDI) wanted a data-driven solution that leverages analytics to forecast where and when populations worldwide will be exposed to mobility-related climate hazards, such as floods, storms, and droughts so that decisions can be made based on evidence. This initiative helps the world understand climate-related displacement risk better and explore ideas to address it properly.
We designed and developed an interactive data visualization solution that IOM could use to present its research and approach at the COP28 summit.
The power of data and insights
We used the power of data and its ability to reveal hidden patterns and insights. Our solution processes large datasets and employs advanced analytics techniques to visually represent the complex dynamics of mobility-related climate hazards. It analyzes future trends and identifies emerging patterns based on state-of-the-art climatic, demographic, and economic datasets.
Take a look at GDI’s Climate Mobility Impacts dashboard on the Global Migration Data Portal. Users can explore and analyze how different climate hazards are expected to affect humans in the future.
This data-driven visualization approach provides a vital foundation to allocate resources and make informed policy decisions. International organizations can now interactively explore where and when climate hazard exposure, high population densities, and economic vulnerability will coincide in the future. It enables them to provide effective and targeted support for vulnerable populations.
This shift towards evidence-based decision-making ensures that aid and resources reach those who need it most, maximizing their impact and fostering a more resilient future for all.
Collaborative effort and action
This was a high-priority project for us with tight deadlines to meet. We had to design a portal that reads climate change data and presents it in interactive 2D and 3D maps, graphs, and bar charts.
This project demanded strong collaboration and dedication from a diverse team of experts. Our team of designers and JavaScript developers closely worked with the IOM team to research extensively, design, and develop a solution that meets current goals and is scalable for future goals.
Agile methodologies were at the core of our approach, and we were able to adapt to emerging challenges and navigate complexities with remarkable efficiency. Our team’s commitment to agility proved invaluable, enabling us to successfully deliver the project on time and within budget.
Summing up
We will delve deeper into the design and development of our data visualization portal, offering insights into its features and unique capabilities in our case study. We believe that by sharing our knowledge and expertise, we can inspire further collaboration and advancement with data as a catalyst for positive change.
We are glad that we could help IOM present its data and approach visually to empower communities to navigate the complexities of climate change-induced migration. We look forward to working on more solutions that will positively impact lives worldwide. Talk to our experts to know more about how we can customize digital solutions that fit your needs.
Written by
Sanjana Melody — Research Writer
This post was originally published on qed42.com