Google’s Fight Against Climate Change

Dan Asin

After erroneous reports last January that “two Google searches generate the same carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea,” Google is making environmental news for the right reasons, with the launch of its Google Earth-integrated climate change “tours.”

Narrated by the “Governator” himself, the most recent tour combines stunning graphics, images, and data to illustrate how climate change will impact California over the next century and outlines current and future mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Other Google Earth tours delve into how climate change projections work; climate and health connections in Africa; and projects to reduce deforestation in Borneo, the Amazon, and Madagascar.

In addition, Google has partnered with CNN to create a COP15 YouTube Channel where users can explore behind-the-scenes videos from the Copenhagen summit and watch highlights from a December 15 debate featuring world leaders, climate activists, and user-generated questions.

For up to the minute information on Google’s environmental work and initiatives, check out the following sites:

Google’s Official Blog: Sorted by the “green” tag for all news on Google tools, events, and technology related to the environment
Google Earth Outreach Showcase: Home to Google Earth tools and tours created by third-party organizations working on climate, the environment, disease, and other issues
The Unofficial Google Earth Blog: A source for all things Google Earth, with a dedicated section to the environment.