Redlands, California—Esri has unveiled its Human Health and Climate Change App Challenge, calling on the worldwide GIS community to create apps that help communities visualise, understand, and combat the health impacts of climate change. Esri will award three winners more than $15,000 in cash prizes or the equivalent in software. The deadline to enter is August 14, 2015.

The app challenge is part of Esri's comprehensive effort in support of the White House Climate Data Initiative under President Obama's Climate Action Plan.

"Esri is committed to helping communities work smarter and more efficiently to become more livable and, as a result, more resilient to climate change," said Esri President Jack Dangermond.

Participants are encouraged to create apps using Esri's ArcGIS platform that provide decision-making support for health professionals and empower the public to take action. Apps should help private and public organisations combine open data to gain new insights into the impacts of climate change on health.

"Understanding the geography of climate change is critical to mitigating its health effects and creating a vibrant and sustainable future," said Dr. Este Geraghty, Esri Chief Medical Officer.

The app challenge is open to everyone—including developers, start-ups, governments, academics, and nongovernmental organizations. Participants are encouraged to use the growing pool of open data and Esri apps, maps, services, and APIs to develop their app.

Judges will select the top three apps to be highlighted at the Esri Health and Human Services GIS Conference in September. In addition to awarding prizes, Esri will feature the winning apps on its collaborative resource portal.