Google has just added a new layer under the Global Awareness layer folder by the environmental activist organization: Greenpeace. The layer in Google Earth is focused on the climate and forests. I discovered this because of the Preview sublayer in the Geographic Web layer – the Greenpeace icons are quite noticeable. Then I discovered that this new layer was announced by Google Earth’s Outreach Director Rebecca Moore in Hamburg Germany thanks to a blog post by Brian Fit.
The video in the placemark found in southwest Argentina showing a glacier is a really cool commercial by a guy who ages as he talks and the glacier behind him melts. You can see it here on YouTube. Also, one of the placemarks has a photo of a bunch of naked people – I’m not kidding!
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.
Hi Frank,
I was just wondering how does google decide on what layers they accept? Or can anyone just upload a layer so it’s available for everyone to see or is it not that easy?
Thank you.
Google edit the layers at the moment, but eventually they say they’ll make it ‘open’- just like the web.