CA-ESRI
Esri , the global leader in location intelligence, today announced it is releasing for the first time ever a new high-resolution, 2020 global land cover map as part of the company’s Living Atlas . The map was built using European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, and developed using a new machine learning workflow teaming with new Esri Silver Partner Impact Observatory , as well as long-time partner Microsoft.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210624005176/en/
The new map will be updated annually supporting change detection and highlighting planetary land changes, especially related to the effects of human activity. A consistent map of land cover for the entire world based on the most current satellite information, the 2020 Global Land Cover Map can be combined with other data layers for green infrastructure, sustainability projects, and other conservation efforts that require a holistic picture of both the human and natural footprint on the planet. Later this year, Esri and Impact Observatory will make this new land cover model available to support on-demand land cover classification, allowing the GIS community to create maps for project areas as often as every week.
"This is a critical year for climate action," said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. "With the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) bringing international parties together to address a set of common goals, we are happy to do our part in making this map available to users that are working towards the health of our planet."
Users will also be able to manipulate the map in association with other GIS layers such as terrain, hydrology, and more, all available in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, the foremost collection of geographic information from around the globe, including maps, apps, and data layers. Through the visualizations being released, planners worldwide will better understand the geography around them to make more informed decisions—enabling them to gain insight into locations with distinctive land cover, as well as human activity affecting them.
High-resolution, open, accurate, comparable, and timely land cover maps are critical for decision-makers in many industry sectors and developing nations. These maps improve understanding of important topics such as food security, land use planning, hydrology modeling, and resource management planning. In addition, national government resource agencies use land cover as a basis for understanding trends in natural capital, which helps define land planning priorities and is the basis of budget allocations.
Impact Observatory, contracted by Esri, developed a deep learning AI land classification model using a massive training dataset of billions of human-labeled image pixels, and applied this model to the Sentinel-2 2020 scene collection, processing over 400,000 Earth observations to produce the map. The unique machine learning approach used to create this global map will soon be available on demand, supporting land managers who need to monitor change in a specific area of interest, looking at annual change and seasonal differences in land cover.
"Global efforts are urging world leaders to set and achieve ambitious conservation targets," said Steve Brumby, Impact Observatory co-founder and CEO. "With support from the geospatial experts at Esri, and access to incredible compute resources at Microsoft, we were able to build in record time a land cover map that provides leaders in governments, NGOs, and across industries with a novel, timely view of the planet, and a new AI-powered capability for actionable, science-based insights on demand. In doing so, Impact Observatory hopes to contribute towards the global conservation effort."
Esri is releasing this valuable resource under a Creative Commons license to encourage broad adoption and ensure equitable access for planners creating a more sustainable planet. This content will be made available in ArcGIS Online as a map service and be freely available for use by its 10 million users. It will also be available for download and viewing. To explore the new 2020 Global Land Cover Map, visit livingatlas.arcgis.com/landcover .
About Impact Observatory
Impact Observatory is a mission-driven technology company bringing artificial intelligence (AI) powered algorithms and on-demand data to sustainability and environmental risk analysis for governments, non-profit organizations, companies, and markets. Founded in 2020 in Washington, DC, Impact Observatory’s goal is to empower global decision-makers to be planetary superheroes, with the timely, actionable science-based insights they need to succeed. Visit us at impactobservatory.com .
About Esri
Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com .
Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210624005176/en/
Link:
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Prodalim Expands its Natural Ingredients Portfolio with the Launch of Coloring Foodstuffs and Natural Colors Product Lines, Enhancing Innovation in Upcycled Products16.7.2025 12:18:00 CEST | Press release
Prodalim, a global leader in juice solutions and specialty ingredients, announces the launch of its Coloring Foodstuffs and Natural Colores portfolio, marking a milestone in its commitment to delivering clean-label, plant-based, upcycled product innovations for the food and beverage industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716821011/en/ These natural color solutions are designed for seamless integration into a wide range of applications, including beverages, dairy, plant-based products, bakery, and confectionery. They offer vibrant visual appeal without compromising on performance, health standards, regulatory compliance, or consumer trust. Developed based on strict quality standards, Prodalim’s Coloring portfolio delivers optimal light resistance, pH stability, and thermal performance, addressing real-world formulation challenges while enhancing naturality, clean label credentials, and full “tree-to-table
30 Peer-Reviewed Studies Highlight Statistically Significant Health Benefits of Almased16.7.2025 09:15:00 CEST | Press release
Two recent, peer-reviewed clinical studies have found that Almased, a high-protein, low-glycemic meal replacement, delivers significant health benefits ranging from weight loss and improved metabolic health to anti-aging effects and enhanced quality of life. Both reviews synthesize 30 peer-reviewed clinical studies across three decades of scientific research, confirming that Almased is effective and safe for weight reduction, preservation of lean muscle mass, and cardiovascular health. The 2025 review in the American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research highlighted Almased’s efficacy and safety for wide groups of people including individuals seeking weight loss, those with metabolic syndrome or fatty liver, older adults needing to preserve muscle mass, and athletes or healthy-weight individuals who require additional high-quality protein. This review also discusses how Almased’s patented fermentation process produces over 80 bioactive peptides, including 2 times the average daily i
The Future of Connectivity Starts Here: Network X Returns to Paris October 14 - 1616.7.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
Show Reconvenes at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with Global Representation of Industry Leaders and Telco Experts Network X 2025 - the only event that brings the fixed and mobile markets together - returns to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles October 14 - 16. Built for telecom's top players, this annual show drives business model innovation and monetisation of next-generation fixed, mobile, satellite and transport networks through AI and cloud. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716595903/en/ Speaker on Headliners Stage at Network X 2024 New to Network X in 2025 are specialty events designed to deliver expert insights on trending topics including Data Center World and two Expo Stages for Fixed-Line and Mobile. More than 5,500 telco network infrastructure professionals will gather alongside 1,500 telcos to learn from six program tracks highlighting the latest advancements in Fibre, Wi-Fi Networks and Services, IP
Skechers AERO Series Opens New Chapter of Technical Running Innovation16.7.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
New Collection Features an Evolution in Design that Cuts Through the Wind for That Aerodynamic Feel on Every Run Skechers Performance opens a new chapter of running innovation with the arrival of the Skechers AERO series. Named for the aerodynamic feel of the design, Skechers AERO represents the latest evolution of technical running shoes from the brand. The collection is engineered to deliver an exhilarating blend of speed, style and comfort to help runners cut through the wind and push beyond their personal bests while logging miles. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716754749/en/ Introducing the Skechers AERO Series of technical running shoes: Skechers AERO Burst, Skechers AERO Spark, and Skechers AERO Tempo (L-R). “Recently launched in North America and Asia, the AERO Series leverages innovative technologies to elevate our signature comfort that’s now available to runners in Europe,” said Ben Stewart, Vic
4Moving Biotech Enrolls First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of 4P004, a Potential First-in-Class GLP-1 Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis16.7.2025 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
- First patient enrolled in INFLAM MOTION, a global randomized Phase 2a trial including 129 knee osteoarthritis patients - 4P004 to be evaluated over 3 months for dual efficacy: symptom relief and synovial health improvement via contrast-enhanced MRI - Topline results expected in the second half of 2026 4Moving Biotech (4MB), a spin-off of 4P-Pharma dedicated to developing first-in-class treatments that modify the natural course of knee osteoarthritis (OA), today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in Phase 2a clinical trial, INFLAM MOTION. The study will evaluate 4P004, an intra-articular GLP-1 analog, as a potential first-in-class therapeutic candidate for knee osteoarthritis. INFLAM MOTION is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a trial planned to be conducted across Europe, the United States, and Canada. A total of 129 patients worldwide diagnosed with knee OA will be enrolled to evaluate, for the first time in humans, the efficacy of 4P
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom