Google Earth has launched a new application that helps to visualize climate change effects on the planet.
The application Climate change on Google Earth currently has two layers - temperature and rainfall. More layers are in the pipeline including documentation on the rise in sea levels, melting of polar ice and global water shortages.
This innovative application was created through a partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and is subsequently attracting attention from the global science community.
Scientist are already using the Google Earth application to help people visualize the effects of climate change. For example; NASA teamed up with university climate-computer modeller, Anna Michalak, in order to trace carbon dioxide back to the point where it enters and leaves the atmosphere.
As noted in Science Daily:
A better understanding of the carbon cycle has implications for energy and environmental policy and carbon management. In June 2009, Michalak described this research at the NASA Earth System Science at 20 symposium in Washington, D.C.
A snapshot from Google Earth application shows green tracks representing carbon dioxide in the lowest part of the atmosphere close to Earth's surface where vegetation and land processes can impact the carbon cycle. Red tracks indicate particles at higher altitudes that are immune from ground influences.
The application is designed to educate the public and even scientists about how carbon dioxide emissions can be traced. A network of 1,000-foot towers across the United States, like the tower above, are equipped with instruments by NOAA to measure the carbon dioxide content of parcels of air at single locations.
It seems there is no shortage of potential uses for this amazing new application. 3-D simulations provide a useful tool in educating every-day people about climate change science, providing tangible evidence of the global processes at work.
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