A new center dedicated to the memory of a trailblazer in geospatial and environmental advocacy, Emma Luke, has been inaugurated in Vailima, Samoa. The Emma Luke Regional Earth Observation Centre (ELEOC) is set to have a significant impact on Pacific communities as a hub for Earth Observation, environmental conservation, and climate resilience initiatives.
Located within the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) headquarters, the ELEOC honors the late Emma Luke’s efforts in advancing Earth observation discussions and Pacific leadership in global environmental dialogues. In 2019, Luke played a pivotal role in organizing the Group on Earth Observations Ministerial Summit in Canberra, which highlighted the importance of integrating Traditional Knowledge with earth observations for the benefit of Pacific economies.
Thanks to Luke’s financial contributions, SPREP has been able to establish this center, which promises to become a focal point for geospatial collaboration, learning, and innovation across the region. The launch was a key event during the 32nd SPREP Meeting of Officials, drawing over a hundred attendees from various sectors, celebrating Emma Luke’s enduring legacy.
Geoscience Australia’s Maree Wilson commended the center as a tribute to Emma Luke’s efforts to support both marine and terrestrial governance throughout the Pacific. It aims to strengthen the region’s capacity to use Earth observation data to make informed environmental and sustainability decisions. Additionally, the Center will enhance Australia’s commitment to regional sustainability and foster stronger ties with Pacific nations.
SPREP’s Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, emphasizes the critical timing of this launch, stressing the urgent environmental challenges facing the region—rising sea levels, coastal erosion, shifting weather patterns, and biodiversity threats. The ELEOC is expected to foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and encourage capacity building through shared experiences and collaborative problem-solving.
Ultimately, the Center will boost regional cooperation and coordination, providing Pacific Island countries access to essential Earth observation data. By leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping and analyzing environmental data, the center aims to empower leaders and communities to safeguard their futures and preserve their natural heritage for generations to come.
The inauguration of the Emma Luke Regional Earth Observation Centre marks a step forward in the Pacific region’s journey towards climate resilience and sustainable environmental governance, embodying Emma Luke’s vision of integrating science with traditional wisdom to create empowered, informed communities.
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