Making AI an Ally for Fighting Climate Change
- By CDOTrends editors
- November 15, 2022
Communities worldwide are being hit by climate change in various ways — from devastating floods and wildfires to challenges with food supply. To address the climate change crisis and implement sustainable solutions, Google invests in AI technologies to help communities prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters and threats.
To expand its presence in the disaster response sector, Google relies on research and development of AI-powered technologies and longstanding partnerships with organizations that work directly with emergency responders.
Google expands its flood forecasts to river basins in 18 more African, Latin America, and Southeast Asia countries. FloodHub is a new Google platform that displays flood forecasts and shows when and where floods may occur to help people directly at risk. It also provides critical information for aid organizations and governments.
In 2021, Google sent 115 million flood alert notifications to 23 million people over Search and Maps, helping save countless lives.
Aside from floods, Google also detects wildfire boundaries using new AI models based on satellite imagery and shows their real-time location in Search and Maps. Since July, the tech giant company has covered more than 30 significant wildfire events in the U.S. and Canada, helping inform people and firefighting teams with over 7 million views in Search and Maps. Wildfire detection is now available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and parts of Australia.
Furthermore, Google also provides access to authoritative forecasts and safety information about hurricanes. For example, before a hurricane hits North America or a typhoon strikes Japan, SOS Alerts on Search and Maps provide detailed estimates from authoritative sources to show where the storm will go.
The company also uses machine learning to analyze satellite imagery after disasters and determine where relief efforts are most needed. For example, in the wake of Hurricane Ian, this technology was deployed in partnership with Google.org grantee GiveDirectly to quickly distribute aid to those who needed it most.
Ultimately, tech tools like Google Cloud and Google Earth Engine make it easier to develop climate risk management and sustainability strategies. One example of how tools like these are used is by the U.S Forest Service, which analyzes land-cover changes to learn more about wildfire threats and monitor the impacts of invasive insects, diseases, and droughts. On the private sector side, the Bank of Montreal is integrating climate data — like precipitation trends — into its banking operations, helping to assess the risks posed by extreme weather events.
Image credit: iStockphoto/NiseriN