Michael Bloomberg, State of California and Planet Partner to Deliver New Satellite Climate Data Solutions
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action; California Governor Gavin Newsom; and Planet, the San Francisco-based earth-imaging company, announced Satellites for Climate Action, a new initiative that will use satellite data to inform and accelerate climate protection. The coordinated effort will bring together governments, philanthropists, environmental groups, and technology companies to use satellite technologies to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and turn satellite data into actionable information. The initiative was unveiled at the third annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum.
The initiative will focus on three areas: 1) apply Planet’s existing Earth observation data to climate solutions by analyzing coal-fired plant operations, 2) explore a new generation of satellite technologies with enhanced capabilities to detect greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2, and 3) develop new geospatial analytics that can directly enable conservation efforts for forests, coral reefs, and other critical natural resources.
“Data is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against climate change. The better we can measure factors like greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, the faster and more effectively we can address them, and the easier it is for the public to hold leaders accountable,” said Bloomberg. “This partnership will empower governments and businesses to take action, and it’s an example of what’s possible when the public and private sectors work together. California has been a pioneer in using satellites to fight climate change and we’re looking forward to working with Governor Newsom and his team.”
California has one of the leading greenhouse gas reduction programs in the world to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and a long history of finding innovative ways to reduce emissions while encouraging a thriving economy. California will work with its partners to use satellite data to ensure that expected emissions reductions are happening, enforce existing regulations, and to identify cheaper and faster ways to achieve further reductions...