Using AI, Google is releasing a new tool to help cities tackle heat. According to Google, the Heat Resilience tool applies AI to satellite and aerial imagery.
This will help cities learn how to reduce surface temperatures, with cooling interventions. This includes stuff like planting trees, and installing highly reflective roofs. Hopefully this will make a difference – 2023 was the warmest year on Earth so far.
The tool works in many ways, such as identifying buildings and trees to determine how much heat land absorbs. It can also show information such as income statistics and social vulnerability, to help identify which areas need heat relief.
Google has already seen the Heat Resilience Tool make a difference – cities such as Stockton, California have gathered data to help reduce urban heat islands.
