The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched, an online interactive version of the popular Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate that was announced at the Eye on Earth Summit held in Abu Dhabi in December 2011.

Developed as part of the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), the Interactive Atlas is an online resource that immerses the user into the environmental heritage of Abu Dhabi Emirate highlighting along the way the profound influences on the past, present and future of human development within the region.

The Interactive Atlas was launched today by EAD and AGEDI, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) to highlight the educational extension created on such a unique, local resource that is freely accessible to all users with the internet.

It is packed with teacher and student resources and has been designed to support the curriculum by making the resources available online, offline, for self-study purposes and within the classroom environment. It also offers support for teachers and students alike; from step by step lesson plans for teachers to self-study quizzes for students.

Mirroring the paperback version, the Interactive Atlas is divided into 9 sections. Within each of these sections, the Interactive Atlas beautifully interweaves anecdotes, case studies, maps and images to bring each section to life.

"Today was chosen for the launch, as we celebrate International Biological Diversity Day, a day focussed on sharing knowledge and understanding of biodiversity issues. This Interactive Atlas provides not only the students of Abu Dhabi with a wealth of information about the Abu Dhabi environment online, but also makes it accessible to the rest of the world," said H.E Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General, EAD.

Dr Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), said: "The Interactive Atlas is a pioneering step in linking education to the environment, which is an ideal opportunity to highlight the natural heritage of the UAE and enrich the academic sector with the environmental information they need. This Atlas will help strengthen students’ tie to their society and culture and encourage them to protect the environment and its natural resources."

H.E Al Khaili added, "The Atlas will be an effective educational tool in teaching students new skills. It is a step forward in changing the traditional education system that encourages creative thinking. This will give students a chance to think, express their own opinions and solve problems in a scientific and creative way."

Fozeya Al Mahmoud, Acting Director of the Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Division at EAD said: "This e-learning platform is a great tool to inform the students of today and tomorrow, the history and uniqueness of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will help remind them that we have an amazing natural and cultural heritage that has in many ways shaped who we are today. It will help explain our historical ties to the land and sea and give us a sense of why we should care. It is not a substitute for experiencing nature, but a way to better understand the environment in which we all live and work."

The Interactive Atlas is available for free in both Arabic and English online at www.environmentalatlas.ae. It also offers users the ability to keep in touch via its own Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts. The hardcopy version of the Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate is also available in Arabic and English and is available for sale in all leading retail outlets in the Gulf and internationally as well as online at www.booksarabia.com and www.ead.ae.

The development of the hard copy Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate, which brought the story of Abu Dhabi’s environmental heritage to life in a way that is educational and entertaining, factual and surprising, thought-provoking, and inspirational, involved over 100 accomplished experts in their field from scientists to storytellers across 65 different organizations, all of whom have shared their knowledge, time and passion to make the Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate a bound account of the emirates history.

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