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Welcome to the website for the first Digital Earth Summit focused specifically on sustainability. The Summit will be convened by an international team of government, business, academic, and citizen leaders from the 27th to 30th August 2006, in Auckland, New Zealand. The Digital earth Summit on Sustainability represents the most significant scientific gathering ever held in this part of the world. Its focus will be on the most important issue facing us - long-term survival. The Summit will focus on how technology and the data it provides can best be applied to achieve sustainability in all sectors of society and the environment. |
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A new wave of technological innovation means that we can now view the complexity of our planet for any specific place on the Earth's surface. Launched in 1998 by former United States Vice President Al Gore, Digital Earth is a global initiative aimed at harnessing the world's data and information resources to develop a virtual 3-D model of Earth in order to monitor, measure, and forecast natural and human activity on the planet. Pioneered within NASA in the late 1990's, the Digital Earth movement is increasingly being seen as the major scientific integration project of the 21st century. In terms of its importance to the survival of our people and natural resources, it ranks along with the Space Race and the Human Genome Project. Built upon the World Wide Web, the development of the Digital Earth project is involving the grassroots efforts of many individuals, companies, university researchers and government organisations. In creating the Digital Commons, the Digital Earth initiative will provide for a vast digital marketplace where citizens can access both free and commercial information and services. Of specific relevance to the New Zealand summit is its potential to
become a "collaboratory" - a full societal enterprise - for researchers seeking
to understand the complex interaction between humanity's economic, social, and
cultural activities and our environment. |
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The Digital Earth movement has held four international symposia since 1999, most recently in Tokyo in March 2005. The Auckland Summit will be the first opportunity to focus Digital Earth's extraordinary resources towards specific issues of sustainability in partnership with New Zealand's leaders to achieve its sustainability goals. Defining sustainability as humankind's collective survival goals means that there is no better objective for New Zealand's collective efforts. The Auckland summit will play a crucial role in the gathering momentum of the Digital Earth movement. Specific outcomes from the Auckland Summit will help set the agenda for the 2007 International Symposium on Digital Earth to be held in San Francisco. In this way, New Zealand will set the challenge for the world's greatest scientific minds to address the opportunities identified to enhance the nation's sustainability. Auckland City is hosting the Digital Earth Summit to emphasize the human dimensions and urban issues facing the majority of the world's citizens. Political leadership will remain an important ingredient for the success of sustainability initiatives. The Summit provides the catalyst for creating and launching Digital
Earth New Zealand, a societal partnership to champion New Zealand for future
summits and as the home of the Centre for Sustainable Studies - an
international think-tank and change catalyst. |
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Further description of breakout sessions The requirements of a healthy society range from issues of basic survival to self development and fulfilment. Across that spectrum, access to good information plays a key role ensuring wise decisions are made. Wide access to that information is critical as we strive to balance the needs of today with those of the future to ensure our actions result in sustainable outcomes. We have chosen in this conference to cover a wide range of activities where making the right decisions is imperative for the future. The aim of the workshops will be to focus on what information is required and how it can best be delivered to those that participate in making the decisions. How can the current developments in remote sensing, geographic information systems and other advances of the digital age, ensure we meet the challenges of sustainable development, now and into the future. We aim to cover a mix of New Zealand and international initiatives in these workshops.
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Specialist Symposia Survival Food and Primary production: The focus is on maintaining healthy ecosystems for food and fibre production with a focus on land use and management and integrated catchment management. Natural Resource and Ecosystem Management: We continue to explore the vast array of processes and systems that maintain the World we live on and also the impact that we have upon those complex interactions. This workshop will consider how we can improve information sharing and exchange to preserve key natural resources and to ensure our conservation efforts are maximised. Security Natural Hazards: What information is required, how is it linked nationally and internationally and how are decisions made regarding prediction of and avoidance of major geological and climatic hazards. Health: Greater global mobility and shifts in climate will increase both the opportunity for and uncertainty around the movement of disease. Meanwhile information technology provides opportunities for risk modeling, better patient diagnosis and creating healthy environments. What cutting edge technologies will contribute to healthier lives? Social Urban development and infrastructure: The world's population drifts steadily towards urban environments. Urban development is occurring at unprecedented rates in many countries including the major emerging economies of India and China. How we contain resource use and waste generation in cities and communities to sustainable levels. What information sources, networks, models and decision support systems are required, how should they be designed and applied. Business processes: If business is to take a lead in sustainable development what are the cutting edge tools and processes that will help them achieve new heights in contributing to a healthy, equitable society. Self Development Lifelong Learning Specialist Symposia: The quest for self-improvement is one of the defining attributes of our species. How do we best harness that for a sustainable future? Geospatially linked information technology based programmes like GLOBE are enabling our children to interact with schools globally to monitor their environments. What other examples can we promote for all ages and communities? Art and Design Specialist Symposia: The focus of this workshop is on the use of art, film, and music to engage people in the debate around sustainable development. How do we use these media to illustrate the need for better environmental and social stewardship? Government and Community Partnerships The first workshop, "More effective intersectoral collaboration and decision making," will consider how Government can best engage the community to form partnerships for managing local resources. The second workshop will focus on current programmes of work aimed at setting the high level scene for sustainable development. It is intended that the outcomes of this workshop contributes to the development of those programmes. Youth Forum Workshops Digital Earth NZ is delighted to have a Youth Forum included in their programme. These workshops will be a place for the Youth delegates to discuss and plan for the New Zealand they want for their future and the information needs to support it. Anew NZ is sponsoring the youth component of Digital Earth to give voice to youth in intergenerational dialogues that positively impact the future of the country.
Presentations If you are interested in a poster presentation pease contact Maggie Lawton at Lawtonm@landcareresearch.co.nz. There may also be some limited opportunites for an oral presentation in one of the Specialist Symposia. Again contact Maggie Lawton and head the e-mail Specialist Symposia presentation.
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Digital Earth is pleased to announce the line-up of leading experts who will share their insights, findings and opinions in Auckland (Click to view individual bios).
Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Prof. Huadong is the Secretary General of International Steering Committee on International Symposium of Digital Earth (ISDE).....(read more)
> Dr Amory Lovins (interactive video link) Co-CEO Rocky Mountain Institute, USA The Wall Street Journal named Dr. Amory Lovins one of 28 people world-wide "most likely to change the course of business in the '90s". Newsweek called him "one of the Western world's most influential energy thinkers".....(read more)
Professor in the Institute for Advanced Computing Studies and the Department of Geography Prof. Townshend has been a member of the NASA's MODIS Science Team since 1996.....(read more)
Director of the Research Center for Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing, Germany Dr. Ehlers specializes in geoinformatics, GIS, digital image processing, environmental monitoring and information systems.....(read more)
Director General, The Earth Simulator, Japan Prof. Sato is Director-General of the Earth Simulator and is an Emeritus of Theory and Computer Simulation Center, National Institute for Fusion Science.....(read more)
President, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), UK In recent years Prof. Dowman's main thrust has been in the generation of digital elevation models and features from high resolution sensors and in using such techniques for the automation of registration of images to other images and to maps.....(read more)
Dr. Foresman is a pre-eminent scientist who was a leading expert with NASA, where he led the Digital Earth program as national manager. He continues to help lead this program's legacy, as founding member of the International Society of Digital Earth.....(read more)
CEO ManyOne Mr Firmage has contributed articles and essays to many major publications, and regularly speaks at conferences on the future of science, technology, business and society.....(read more)
Author of The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2005).....(read more)
Prof. Penman was instrumental in the formation of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and in 2006 was elected Chair of the Governing Board.....(read more)
Martin Hill is an internationally recognised communications designer, environmental artist, and photographer. His design work has won awards and is featured in international galleries.....(read more)
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Now in his second five-year term, Morgan focuses on environmental sustainability as the key to New Zealand's future well-being.....(read more)
Chair, Sustainable Development Group, Local Government New Zealand Ann Magee (MA hons) has been the driving force behind The Eco City vision of Waitakere City Council and has influenced the Auckland region, New Zealand policy direction and international thinking on sustainable development.....(read more)
Mayor of Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard is an experienced business man, owner and CEO of Hubbard Foods until his election as mayor of Auckland in 2004.....(read more)
Professor at University of British Columbia. His research interests include Watershed analysis (system dynamics, simulation modeling), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land/Water interactions (land use and its impact on water resources)......(read more)
President: Sheltair Group (to be confirmed) Sebastian Moffatt has been a researcher and consultant over the past two decades, focusing on many aspects of energy efficiency and technology transfer.....(read more)
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Registration
Passport and Visa information For more detailed information visit the New Zealand Immigration Service website - www.immigration.govt.nz, or contact them directly on +64 9914 4100. Travel and Visitor information Browse our local information section for further details on travelling to and exploring Auckland.
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Sponsors
Sponsoring Digital Earth's Summit on Sustainability We would like your organisation to become a member of Digital Earth New Zealand, and be part of a profoundly significant initiative for New Zealand and, by extension, the world. It's a way you can help save the planet, build New Zealand's scientific and technical standing globally, and gain an array of more immediate benefits for your organisation. There are four levels at which you can be associated with the Summit on Sustainability and, through this, Digital Earth New Zealand. Click on the following links to review the benefits for each sponsorship level and to register an interest in Sponsoring the Summit.
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Situated in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city the Auckland Convention Centre comprises Auckland’s finest venues: Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square. Auckland Convention Centre at THE EDGE® is Auckland’s prime convention precinct. Auckland has a real cosmopolitan feel, with Pacific, Asian, European and indigenous Maori peoples all calling it home. Fondly known as the "City of Sails" (one look on the water will tell you why), Auckland boasts an attractive harbour and warm climate. For the visitor, Auckland offers a huge range of attractions and activities to suit every temperament and budget. To find out more visit the Tourist Auckland website.
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Travel and Arrival Auckland International Airport Most international flights use Auckland International Airport as their New Zealand hub. International carriers that fly to Auckland include: > The official airline for the summit is Air New Zealand - www.airnewzealand.com Transport to the city centre Situated around 20kms from the city centre (downtown), there are a range of travel options from the airport to the centre or your hotel. By bus Super Shuttle These minibuses offer passengers a door-to-door service. The cost is around $20 for the first passenger and a further $5 for extra passengers (with the total shared). By taxi Taxis are easy to come by at the airport and should cost around $45
(depending on which part of the city you wish to travel to). |
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Accommodation Auckland boasts a huge range of accommodation, from high quality international hotels to backpacker hostels. Take a look at the Tourism Auckland site for more detailed information. Summit Hotel Carlton Hotel – www.carlton-auckland.co.nz Crowne Plaza Hotel – www.crowneplaza.co.nz Auckland Public Transport There are a number of options for travelling around Auckland during your visit. MAXX Regional Transport offers a range of bus, train and ferry services to travel to most parts of Auckland. If you are staying in the CBD look out for the FREE red City Circuit bus in central Auckland or hop on board The Link bus to travel around the CBD and surrounding suburbs. To plan your journey and for more information, visit www.maxx.co.nz Maxx Regional Transport – www.maxx.co.nz |
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Restaurants Whatever type of dining experience you're after, Auckland has an eatery to tickle your taste buds. The huge range of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars represent culinary excellence from all over the globe (especially the Asian world). In recent years, fusion food has hit Auckland. This distinctive style of cooking sees chefs creating new classics by blending the traditional with the modern. When you eat out in Auckland it's not hard to see just why its restaurants have been compared to those of New York and London.
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Attractions There's plenty to keep you occupied outside of the conference. From the lofty Sky Tower that pierces the Auckland skyline, to the informative Auckland Museum, there's an attraction to suit every interest. Natural New Zealand is right on Auckland's doorstep too. You're never more than thirty minutes from a beautiful beach. And less than an hour's drive from downtown lies one of the region's premiere parks - the Waitakere Ranges. Here you can discover New Zealand's bush on over 200kms of walking tracks. Take a look at some of the attractions in and around Auckland. > www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php
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