Google is
no stranger to
humanitarian work, and its latest effort is helping keep an unflinching eye on the world's trees. For its part in the
Global Forest Watch, the search giant is providing tech (namely,
Earth and
Maps) that allows virtually anyone to monitor deforestation on a massive scale. Let's say you want to peek at how much of Brazil's rain forest has been clear-cut in since 2008. You can do that. Even better, you can look at how much has been replanted -- sadly, not a lot -- if the mood strikes. The website's interactive map also allows users to see just which industries are doing the damage, the extent of tree-top cover and a whole lot more. No, Google
making data visible isn't exactly new, but this application might be the first to have a lasting impact on the environment.
