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GIS Day 2022

We’ve prepared an exciting GIS-Day experience for you this year.

Are you ready to take on the challenge in 2022?

Your solution might be what saves the World against #ClimateChange.

GIS-Day 2022 Competition

Our world is rapidly changing every minute and every second. The world is not as it used to be centuries ago. These are the effects of CLIMATE CHANGE, a pandemic we all face in this modern day.

According to the United Nations, Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.

What Challenges has the World Been Facing?

Climate Change has quite a number of devastating effects on the environment, people and planet. We have hand picked a few just to provide an overview idea of the situation.

Hotter temperatures

Nearly all land areas are seeing more hot days and heat waves; 2020 was one of the hottest years on record. Higher temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and can make it more difficult to work and move around. Wildfires start more easily and spread more rapidly when conditions are hotter.

More severe storms

Changes in temperature cause changes in rainfall. This results in more severe and frequent storms. They cause flooding and landslides, destroying homes and communities, and costing billions of pounds.

Increased drought


Water is becoming scarcer in more regions. Droughts can stir destructive sand and dust storms that can move billions of tons of sand across continents. Deserts are expanding, reducing land for growing food. Many people now face the threat of not having enough water on a regular basis.

A warming, rising ocean

The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming. This melts ice sheets and raises sea levels, threatening coastal and island communities. The ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. More carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic, which endangers marine life.

Loss of species

Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks increase as temperatures climb. Forest fires, extreme weather and invasive pests and diseases are among many threats. Some species will be able to relocate and survive, but others will not.

Not enough food

Changes in climate and increases in extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries crops, and livestock may be destroyed or become less productive. Heat stress can diminish water and grasslands for grazing.

More health risks

Changing weather patterns are expanding diseases such as malaria. Extreme weather events increase disease and death, and make it difficult for health care systems to keep up. Other risks to health include increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people cannot grow or find sufficient food.

Poverty and displacement

Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep away urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in outdoor jobs. Weather-related disasters displace 23 million people a year, leaving many more vulnerable to poverty.

Your Challenge!

As a citizen of Mother Earth, you are to devise and come up with innovative solutions using Geographic Information Systems or Geographic Storytelling for the ADAPTATION, MITIGATION and PREVENTION of the effects of Climate Change as we strive to save humanity and ensure a sustainable future.

Challenge participants can submit a solution in any one or all of the following tracks

Maps

Can you create maps that speak directly on issues related to climate change?

Geo-enabled Apps

Developing and Creating Web or Mobile Apps that address a climate issue in a certain community

Impactful Research / Previous Case-study

Case studies, documentation or written work that addresses, analyses and proposes solutions for climate action.

Business Innovation / Idea

Have you identified a problem and come up with a solution to the problem? Can it generate profit or maybe have an impact and change the world?

Storytelling / Essay

Craft a story that speaks to climate change. There is no limit to the criteria. Select any topic of your choosing as long as it relates to Climate Change.

5

Selected Winners

5

ESRI Software Licenses

1

per Each Category

Participation, Eligibility & Criteria

Please pay particular attention to the details and instructions listed below.

Eligibility

  • Participation is ONLY open to any persons who fits within the age group of 16 – 35 years of age.
  • Participation is only open to African nationals (Persons living, residing or of African nationality)
  • Females & Non-GIS professionals are highly encouraged to participate

Participation

  • Interested participants will first apply to be part of the challenge and upon acceptance, a separate submission link will be submitted while all communications will be done via Email and any other channels that maybe be availed by the organizers.
  • There is no limitation to the number of submissions that a participant can make. However, in the event that a participant scopes first prize award in any one of the categories, their submissions in any other categories will NOT be considered for a Prize.
  • Please direct all queries, requests and communications through Email on gisday@africansurveyors.net
  • By participating in this year’s challenge, you are in agreement of our Privacy Policy and our Terms and Conditions
  • We (African Surveyors Connect) reserve the right to reject or accept any entries that may have been made by the applicants.

Criteria

  • Solutions that speak closer to home or a community within a region are highly recommended and encouraged
  • Solutions, Ideas and Submissions that are evidence based are highly recommended and stand a greater chance of scooping the prize
  • Scoring will be awarded based on Presentation of Work, Problem/Challenge addressed, Impact to a certain community, Closeness to reality, Scalability (for the Business Innovation/Idea track)

Guess What?

For registering your interest to participate in this competition, you will receive a free one-year Premium subscription to StoryMaps, a powerful personal storytelling tool. More details will be shared via Email.

Competition Timeline

30 – September

Applications Open

Interested participants will be able to apply and show their interested in this year’s GIS Day Competition towards climate action.

15 – October

Applications Close & Submissions Open

The deadline for the submission of applications of interested participants. Applicants are notified of further information to follow and how to submit their materials.

1 – November

Submissions Close

Submissions should have been made on or before this date. The vetting process will begin after the deadline passes.

10 – November

Winner Notified

Winners will be announced on our social media platforms, email and website.

16 – November

GIS Day & Awards

On GIS Day, the winners will deliver a brief 5-minute presentation of their submitted material to the audience and this will be followed by awarding of awards.

Please Note: This will be a virtual event.

Ready for the 2022 Challenge?

Sign-up for the competition to display your interest. More information and resources will be provided to interested participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we submit our entries?

Entries can be submitted via a link that will be provided soon after the application phase is closed. All communications will be conducted via Email to all the applicants.

What formats can be submitted?

Depending on your selected participation track, submissions can be made in Document Format, Image format, Links to Mobile and Web-Applications, Illustrative Videos and any other formats suitable for submission. Please make sure all links are publicly accessible and can be viewed by anyone on the web

How do we get in touch?

All communications and correspondence can be made via email on: gisday@africansurveyors.net

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