Google Earth's Most Interesting Environmental Maps

Last week, Scientific American and others reported a nifty new Google Earth map developed with help from the Audubon Society and NRDC to outline areas where developing renewable-energy resources might come into conflict with conservationists' efforts. According to the NRDC, “the project will support renewable-energy planning and development by facilitating consensus in siting decisions.”

We browsed Google Earth and found some other environmentally themed maps worth checking out. Note that you’ll have to download Google Earth to check these out. Do so at your own risk and make sure your computer supports it.

Threatened Species 

This map allows you to select from a list of threatened species to show their habitat. It includes information about the species and the causes of the threats to their survival.

Solar Job Growth

Created by the Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation, this map projects that there will be 440,000 jobs in solar energy by the end of 2016 (there  with 92,000 today). It also includes information about going solar and getting jobs in solar energy.

U.S. Emissions

Developed by researchers at Purdue University, Colorado State University, and Berkeley’s Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, this map shows the nation's fossil-fuel emissions by region and by source of emission.

America’s Wild Legacy

Produced for the Sierra Club, these maps provide information about 52 of the most extraordinary U.S. places that need protection.

Disappearing Forests

This map graphically represents deforestation rates across around the world and includes detailed country-by-country specifics and real-time tree loss in hectares.

-- Mario Aguilar