Climate change is impacting communities around the world. Understanding the effects of environmental change is the purpose of the Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network. LEO is a network of local experts who share observations about unusual wildlife, environment, and climate events.
Arctic communities were among the first to experience significant impacts from climate change. In 2009, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) established the Center for Climate and Health to help describe connections between climate change, environmental impacts, and health effects. In 2012, LEO Network was launched as a tool to help the tribal health system and local observers to share information about climate and other drivers of environmental change.
In 2015, ANTHC and Resource Data Inc. (RDI) developed LEO Reporter to increase access and improve data management and analytical features of the network. In the same year, LEO Network was selected as a model program under the United States Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, to help raise awareness and improve communication about climate change in the circumpolar region. Today LEO Network is continuing to evolve and to build new partnerships across the Arctic and around the world.