


occurs as a result of exposure of the human body to very high temperatures resulting from exposure to direct sun, especially if accompanied by a great physical effort .






http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2134
Hey guys!
While doing research for another paper, I stumbled across this article in the web. I think it’s an enlitening article that provides an inside to the two things we know but doesn’t always link together: environmental monitoring and conservation, as well as Google Earth.
When somebody mention Google Earth, the picture of our house from space comes to mind (Admit it, the first thing you usually look up is your house) or a map overlayed onto the satellite imagery. Now, instead of googling your house, why not look at the world instead. That was what this article was about.
But first, a bit of a crash course. Remote sensing is the observation of an object, surface or phenomenon from a distance without actually being in contact with it. It is based on the principle that objects reflect or emit radiations in different wavelengths and intensities depending on specific conditions. Devices that are sensitive to electromagnetic energy - such as light, heat and radio waves (from the target object) - capture the electromagnetic wave and information of the target can be obtained by studying energy interactions and providing information in the form of digital mapping (using imaging systems). Most scientists prefer to use this tool as it offers wide regional coverage, enables continuous acquisition of data as well as it helps to receive up-to-date information.
Although that is the fact, the data is difficult to get a hold of and it is difficult to process. Not to mentioned the initial price of the satellite imagery as well as the processing software. Because of this, it is beyond the reach of smaller, more independent monitoring and conservation organization.
Enter Google Earth.
Introduced in 2005, Google Earth — which can be downloaded for free — aggregates and organizes satellite imagery, aerial photography, and 3-D global information system data from a range of sources and presents it in a format that is easily accessible to the general public. Primarily used for vigilance, it is one of the key elements in aiding several monitoring of deforestation area in several locations such as Amazon, Congo and Indonesia. Especially in Brazil – which has one of the most sophisticated systems for tracing deforestation – it uses satellite monitoring to monitor forest fires in almost real time to protect the forest from further deforestation, which will ultimately lead to the climate change.
Another application that caught my eyes was the discovery of a rich pocket of biodiversity in a remote highland forest in Mozambique. The findings itself was monumental as it lead to the discovery of 200 types of butterfly, plant species and other animals and insects. What surprises me even more was the fact that the preliminary findings of the location was through an application I have installed in my own computer but never taken the time to explore – Google Earth.
Other than that, it can also track the clear water of the river and monitor it against negative impact of the hydroelectric projects; help indigenous people in the Amazon protect their land; and alert citizens and government officials that boats are illegally fishing off the Canary Islands.
So, thoughts anyone? Do you think this application has the potential in aiding the general monitoring and conservation of the environment?
Nini Sopian


