Google Earth’s California Climate Change Map

Together, internet search engine provider Google and Arnold Schwarzenegger – the Governor of California – have showcased a new map that highlights the future impact of climate change on the US state.  The move represents the initial portion of California’s climate change adaptability plan and provides an unprecedented visual illustration of climate science predictions.

California is the most actively pro-environmental US state, with a number of energy efficiency standards having been announced in recent months. These include measures relevant to both housebuilders and electrical manufacturers.  However, while it is taking steps to mitigate emissions, simultaneously, California is still considering the adaptations that climate change is set to demand of it.  According to Governor Schwarzenegger – who quoted a report produced by the University of California - climate change poses a risk to property and assets worth a combined value of around $2.5 trillion. 

Approximately 500,000 people living in California are threatened by the prospect of sea level rises, while longer, hotter summers and shorter snowfall periods are already evident. 

Climate Change in California

It’s these scenarios that are depicted in new supplements to a Google Earth map revealed to the world on December 2nd 2009, which show the results of climate change in California.  The map illustrates the water around San Francisco Bay having crept onshore – the result of projected maximum sea level rises of one-and-a-half metres.  To illustrate the actual impact of this, the map depicts how the water would wholly submerge San Francisco International Airport. 

Google Maps: Climate Change

“California has taken action and led the way in the US and around the world in enacting green policies to fight climate change because no single issue threatens our planet’s health and prosperity more”, Schwarzenegger stated at an event launch for both the Google Maps climate change technology and a new, 200-page long report on California and climate change. 

The event took place on San Francisco Bay’s Treasure Island – an artificial island that – 100 years from now – rising seas could have enveloped, according to Schwarzenegger. 

See also:

California Announces TV Energy Efficiency Standards

New Google Map Shows Renewable Energy Hotspots