Do you have a question regarding the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba? Perhaps you can find the answer on this FAQ page. Is your question not listed? Then contact us via the Helpdesk.
General
Below you will find answers to general questions on the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba.
How to use the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba?
The atlas is an excellent starting point for local authorities to develop a general understanding of the multiple climate impacts in Aruba. The Climate Impact Atlas is of particular relevance to, e.g., educational institutions, the business community, in addition to multiple non-governmental agencies and residents. It can be used free of charge.
What does the atlas consist of?
The atlas contains a map viewer, statistics, map explanations and stories about Aruba. In the map viewer, you immediately see all the maps that are available. The map explanations explain the maps in the viewer and help you use them. The stories let you experience what climate change means for Aruba and why it is important to prepare the island for the possible-to-likely implications and impacts of climate change, especially those most vulnerable.
Map viewer
Below you will find answers to several questions on the map viewer.
How can the map viewer be used?
The viewer provides access to various maps to show how climate change may impact your area, focussing on flooding and heat. The basic maps give information on topics such as soil, vegetation, geology, mangrove and riverbeds. Specific areas can be viewed by zooming in or by using the search function to search for a specific location.
How to select map layers in the viewer?
The map viewer contains all the maps. At the left side of the screen, you will see a box headed “Add map layers”. In this box, you can select the relevant map layers. The zoom feature enables users to zoom in on their own neighbourhood.
How can the map layers be viewed?
Did you select one or more map layers in the left-hand box? Then click on “View map layers” in the upper right-hand corner. A box will pop up enabling you to select a climate scenario. You can compare the current climate with four scenarios: the “Low” scenario, featuring a limited change in climate, and the “High” scenario, in which the climate changes significantly for 2050 and for 2100. The grey fields underneath each map layer indicate the scenarios available for that specific map. Do you not see a map while you have clicked on it? It is likely that the map is not available for the scenario you have selected. Try selecting the current climate or another scenario.
Are all the potential climate effects reflected in the viewer?
The map viewer contains map layers based on the availability of (spatial) open data. Not all potential climate effects have been or can be mapped.
Map explanations
Below you will find answers to several questions on how to use the map explanations.
What is the difference between the map viewer and the map explanations?
The map viewer shows all the maps with a brief explanation. The map explanations provide background information to the main map layers in the map viewer and can assist you in using these maps.
How can the map explanations be used?
The map explanations provide background information for the maps that are shown in the map viewer. They tell you what you see on the maps and help you to get to work with the information. The atlas comprises different map explanations, such as “Land surface temperature” and “Future coastlines”. To access the map explanations, click on the tab in the menu bar. Also, you can click on the “more information” button beneath the legend on the right side of the screen to go the map explanations.
Stories
Below you will find the answers to several questions about the stories.
How did the stories come about?
The stories, written by Rosabelle Illes, are based on the impacts identified during the Climate Impact Atlas stakeholder workshop held on January 31st, 2025, and are grounded in the scientific evidence available on the Atlas website.
What can the stories be used for?
The stories let you experience the consequences of climate changes in Aruba from different perspectives. Also, they show possible solutions. They could be used to raise awareness or to start the conversation about the risks of climate change for Aruba, for example in education.
Statistics
Below you will find a question about the statistics.
How did the statistics come about?
The statistics are based on the best available sources. These are provided with a link in the tool.
Downloading data
Below you will find the answers to several questions about downloading data from the Climate Impact Atlas.
How can the map images be downloaded?
To download a map image in PDF format, click on the printer icon in the map viewer. To retrieve GIS files, please use the form under the “Download Data” tab.
How can the underlying data be downloaded?
The GIS files can be retrieved via the form provided under the “Download Data” tab. This is free of charge, as the files contain open data provided as Geopackage/Geotiff. Are you using data from the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba? This data is covered by the Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0). This means that its source must be credited by quoting “Climate Impact Atlas Aruba, 2024”. In addition, we suggest referring to the underlying data source. To find out which organisation developed the map, see the source beneath the legend.
Can data from the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba be used for other purposes?
Yes, data from the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba be used for other purposes. As the Climate Impact Atlas features open data, government bodies and private parties may use the information in external applications, such as risk dialogues. Are you using data from the Climate Impact Atlas? This data is covered by the Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0). This means that its source must be credited by quoting “Climate Impact Atlas Aruba, 2025”. In addition, we suggest referring to the underlying data source. To find out which organisation has developed the map, see the source beneath the legend.
What are the costs involved in using data from the Climate Impact Atlas?
The Climate Impact Atlas Aruba is an open platform: the information is public. Consequently, the data from the atlas can be used free of charge. In the map viewer, the data can be downloaded in PDF format, free of charge. The helpdesk can provide you with the data in GIS format, also free of charge.
Who is accountable, should data in the atlas prove incorrect?
The maps in the atlas are intended to get some perception of the scope of climate effects, and to place the issue of climate adaptation on the political agenda. As the maps provide basic information impression, they do not necessarily warrant local decision-making. Consequently, the NCRC, the CAS Foundation, and the collaborating institutions decline any responsibility for the consequences of assumptions based on texts or maps from the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba.
How accurate are the data? What is the resolution?
The maps in the atlas provide an island-level picture. At the local level, the image is mostly coarse and indicative. The spatial resolution differs per map layer. Click on the “More information” button in each map layer if you want to know more about a map.
Developments and updates
Below you will find the answers to questions about developments and updates of the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba.
What has prompted the development of the Climate Impact Atlas?
From 2024, Climate Impact Atlas was develode ped jointly with NCRC and the CAS Foundation (Climate Adaptation Services), with funding from the International Panel on Deltas, Coasts, and Islands (IPDC). For more information, go to “About us”.
Who has developed the maps in the atlas?
The maps from the Climate Impact Atlas Aruba have been developed by several research institutes. To find out which party has developed the map, click on the “More information” button in each map layer. You will find this button on the right-hand side, in the “View map layers” box under the legend. In addition, you can read more about the developers of the atlas under the “About us” tab.
Who has compiled the map explanations in the atlas?
The map explanations have been compiled by the research institutes that have developed the maps, in collaboration with the CAS foundation.
How often is the atlas updated?
We aim to update the atlas with new, additional maps whenever an opportunity arrives, and new data is available.