AxSat

Tampico, Gulf of Mexico ; La Serena, Chile – Latin America

Project leader : Dynamic Genesis

Dates : 2021

Classification

Risks

Solutions

Actors

Costs

Summary

The Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico are in the front line of the devastating impacts of climate change. Nearly a third of the Mexican population lives in low lying areas (less than 5 m above sea level). Similar environmental and economic conditions occur along the Caribbean, Pacific  and Atlantic coasts.

AxSat is an innovative project based on partnership with governments, academia and industry, working together to support and build climate resilience and enhance decision making through the use of satellite remote sensing technology and blockchain in the logistic process of aid delivery. The project covers three goals: (1) Reduce and avoid losses from hazards, (2) ensure prompt assistance to victims, and (3) achieve rapid and effective recovery and resilience. 

AxSat project uses satellite remote sensing capabilities to support vulnerable, hard-to-reach communities in their efforts to build resilience to the devastating effects of climate change and improve access to climate finance through monitoring over time. In this context, geospatial data analysis from satellite imagery can be tailored to provide context-specific insights for relief efforts, for example to identify weak points in current sanitation infrastructure that need to be strengthened, and to indicate where relief infrastructure systems should be developed. It can also inform decisions on emergency preparedness, response, program and policy development, as well as resource allocation.

Actions

AxSat project uses geospatial data analysis from satellite imagery to provide context-specific insights for relief efforts and to indicate where relief infrastructure systems should be developed. AxSat translates the data into actionable intelligence: 

  • It highlights risk areas for climate driven hazards to reduce disaster impact, 
  • It provides evidence-based insight on the resilience of Mexican food production, water sanitization and economic infrastructure along the coast to enhance food and water security, and
  • Addresses gaps in knowledge and strengthens existing databases to enhance coastal resilience to climate change. 

Eventually, AxSat will publish a report covering a wide array of subjects such as water flow monitoring, detection of changes in rivers and coasts, sea temperature, water quality diagnostics , water footprint, air quality diagnostics, wildlife monitoring and protection, impacts of industry on the natural coastal environment, detection of illegal activities, re-use and recycling activities, water waste management, GHG emissions measurements.

AxSat’s report seeks to inform decisions on emergency preparedness, response, program and policy development, as well as resource allocation. In addition to providing a database collection from satellite imagery, the report provide advice and supports decision making on the following subjects: 

  • Preparedness:  recommendation on activities to plan beforehand disaster (e.g. risk analysis) 
  • Response: recommendation on activities to conduct during disasters to minimize the risks and impacts (e.g. roadmaps)
  • Resilience and recovery:  recommendation on activities following a disaster to rebuild communities (e.g. resilience and recovery plans)
  • Mitigation: recommendation on activities that can reduce and/or minimize the effects of disasters (e.g. zoning plans, vulnerability assessments etc.)

Outcomes

The Satellite Imagery was successfully validated and acknowledged as a supporting tool for solutions’ identification and implementation to prevent the negative effects of sea-level rise. 

  • Feasibility validation and technology transfer to society.
  • Development of a report based on scientific data from satellite monitoring.

Partners

Technical partners: Regional and local authorities, Universities and scientific institutions, Representative of the civil society

Financial partners: Mexican Government

Resources

Dynamic Genesis website: https://www.dynamicgenesis.com/