Today I’m attending the Fifth International Symposium on Digital Earth (ISDE5.org) at the University of California at Berkeley. The ISDE is an opportunity to discuss how digital information about the Earth can be gathered, provided, and disseminated to help us all better understand the planet. This year’s event is significant in the face of increasing concerns about global climatic change. It’s particularly interesting that Vice President Al Gore is partially responsible for the efforts surrounding the concepts of the Digital Earth based on a speech he gave in 1998.
There will be a number of presentations during the next few days of the symposium which will talk about Google Earth, both in terms of its role in the Digital Earth – and in terms of environmental and scientific data and projects involving Google Earth. I’m expecting to hear this week about how virtual globes like Google Earth, Virtual Earth, and World Wind will help (and are helping) everyone learn more about our planet and gain access to Digital Earth information. This afternoon we’ll hear from Michael Jones, CTO of Google Earth (look for a post about this later).
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
I’m jealous – that should be a fun place to be. I look forward to hearing what Michael has to say.
Thanks Frank again for taking part in such an important event and keeping all of us around the world posted about all the information shared at the event. Thanks!
That Al Gore really is a pretty smart guy, you know.
Al Gore is a poser…ask him how much his estate contributes to global warming!
Nice seeing you, Frank, at the ISDE5 dinner last night. This is a great event, isn’t it? Keep up the terrific and important work of getting the word out about current issues concerning learning about and living on Earth.