Google has joined forces with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in the ongoing battle against climate change, as reported by Engadget. While carbon dioxide typically dominates discussions on global warming, the International Energy Agency highlights that methane contributes significantly, accounting for approximately 30% of the increase in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Notably, 40% of human-induced methane emissions are traced back to the energy sector.
MethaneSAT: A Space-Based Solution
In a collaborative effort with EDF, Google has played a crucial role in the development of the MethaneSAT satellite. Set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in early March, the satellite will orbit the Earth 15 times a day, focusing on measuring methane levels in major oil-producing regions. This space-based initiative aims to detect and reduce methane emissions, building on the organizations’ prior collaboration using Street View cars to map methane leaks in cities.
AI-Driven Solutions for Enhanced Accuracy
Algorithms have been specifically crafted to calculate emissions and their temporal distribution. Artificial intelligence will identify oil and gas infrastructure, much like Google’s use of technology to recognize features in satellite imagery for Maps. The integration of the methane map with oil and gas infrastructure mapping is expected to offer a more comprehensive understanding of emission sources.
Data Accessibility through Google Earth Engine
The MethaneSAT datasets will be accessible on Google Earth Engine, a platform for analyzing and processing geographic data, boasting approximately 100,000 monthly active users. This collaborative effort underscores a commitment to leveraging technology to address climate challenges on a global scale.
In related news, reports indicate accelerated ice loss in Greenland, surpassing previous estimations, notes NIXSolutions. This ice retreat has expanded vegetated areas by 87,500 square kilometers, doubling since the initial study. The consequences include heightened greenhouse gas emissions, rising sea levels, and increased landscape instability. The Guardian notes a quadrupling of methane-producing wetlands in Greenland, signaling a complex interplay between vegetation growth and ice loss.