Bridging the Gap: I-CISK Platform Connects Climate Science with Local Needs

The I-CISK project is developing a cutting-edge, cloud-based platform to make climate data and services more accessible and relevant to local communities. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between complex scientific information and the practical needs of stakeholders across various sectors, from agriculture to tourism.

What is I-CISK?

I-CISK, which stands for “Innovating Climate services through Integrating Scientific and local Knowledge,” is a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program. It focuses on creating an online platform that integrates scientific climate data with local knowledge, providing tailored climate services (CS) to Living Labs in various regions across Europe and beyond.

Key Features of the I-CISK Platform:

• Data Integration: The platform pulls in climate data from various sources, including global datasets such as those from the Copernicus program and local datasets specific to each Living Lab.
• Local Knowledge: It emphasizes incorporating local knowledge and expertise to make the climate data more relevant and actionable for specific regions.
• Customized Climate Services: The platform allows users to create and access tailored climate services that address their unique needs and challenges.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be accessible and easy to use, even for those without a technical background, featuring interactive maps, graphs, and visualizations.
• Cloud-Based Infrastructure: Using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, the platform is scalable and flexible, ensuring reliable access and performance.

How Does it Work?

The I-CISK project operates through a network of “Living Labs,” each representing a different region with unique climate challenges and stakeholder needs. These Living Labs work closely with the project team to define their specific requirements and co-design climate services that address those needs.

The platform’s architecture involves several key components:

• Data Ingestor: This component collects and processes climate data from various sources, ensuring it’s in a standardized format for analysis.
• Back-End Services: These services handle data processing, calculations, and the generation of climate indicators.
• Front-End Interface: This is the user-facing part of the platform, featuring interactive tools for visualizing and exploring climate data.

Progress and Future Plans

The I-CISK project is actively developing and testing the platform, with ongoing feedback from stakeholders shaping its evolution. Initial prototypes have been created for various Living Labs, each with tailored features and functionalities.

What happened after the submission of the deliverable?

Our team has further refined the platform based on user feedback, expanding the range of available climate services and data sources. We have also enhanced the platform’s scalability and performance. The I-CISK project is a significant step towards making climate information more accessible and useful for local communities, empowering them to make informed decisions and build resilience in the face of climate change.

 

This Blog Post has been developed also with help of an AI based on the publicly published Deliverable D5.2: Climate Data and Front and Back‐End Components of the I‐CISK Climate Service Platform