MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Atlantic Canada to use open data, blockchain technology to safeguard watersheds
HALIFAX, Sept. 14, 2018 – Media are invited to discover the developing role for new technologies in safeguarding freshwater health in Atlantic Canada at a Sept. 18 evening event featuring WWF-Canada, The Gordon Foundation and Atlantic Water Network, moderated by RBC.
In 2017, WWF-Canada reported on national widespread data deficiencies for freshwater health indicators, preventing an informed understanding of the human impact in most watersheds. To address these data gaps, The Gordon Foundation and Atlantic Water Network developed Atlantic DataStream, an open-access platform for data sharing, which now, with the support of the RBC Foundation and WWF-Canada, is piloting the use of blockchain technology to enhance the security and authenticity of this data.
What: Panel discussion with media availability
When: Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Lot Six, 1685 Argyle St., Halifax
Speakers:
- Sherry Campbell, president and CEO, The Gordon Foundation
- Valerie Chort, vice-president corporate citizenship, RBC, executive director, RBC Foundation
- Megan Leslie, president and CEO, WWF-Canada
- Emma Wattie, director, Atlantic Water Network
About DataStream
- Atlantic DataStream is an open-access platform for sharing information about freshwater health. It provides much-needed infrastructure for information sharing among monitoring organizations, allowing users to access, visualize and download water-quality data from across Atlantic Canada.
- DataStream is a growing initiative that is led at the national level by The Gordon Foundation and carried out in partnership with regional monitoring networks. In Atlantic Canada, DataStream is co-ordinated locally by the Halifax-based Atlantic Water Network.
- DataStream was piloted in the Mackenzie Basin through a unique collaboration between The Gordon Foundation and the Government of the Northwest Territories, Mackenzie DataStream’s founding partner. With the success of DataStream in the Mackenzie Basin and now, in Atlantic Canada, work is underway to expand DataStream to additional hub regions, beginning with the Lake Winnipeg basin in partnership with the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.
- Visit www.AtlanticDataStream.ca to learn more.
About Blockchain
- Blockchain is an online, decentralized system for tracking and creating a permanent record of transactions of all kinds.
- This ledger allows the community to see who makes which transactions, making inaccurate data entries easily detectable, traceable and removeable.
- It is best known for its application in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
ABOUT THE GORDON FOUNDATION
The Gordon Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to protecting Canada’s water and empowering Canada’s North. We seek opportunities to amplify underrepresented voices, elevate emerging issues, and collaborate with like-minded organizations to drive powerful, sustainable outcomes.
ABOUT RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
RBC is proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability.
ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND CANADA
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.
For further information about the event, or to request an interview
Rebecca Spring, senior communications specialist, [email protected], +1 647-338-6274
For further information about The Gordon Foundation and Atlantic DataStream
Corrigan Hammond, communications officer, [email protected], +1 437-772-7831