Global Forest Watch (GFW) is a dynamic online monitoring system that provides near real-time forest information on worldwide deforestation.
World Resource Institute (WRI) and 40 over partners or funders launched the platform. To advance reliable and real-time data, NASA's Landsat program provides millions of high-resolution photographs, Google Earth Engine powers the cloud computing, and University of Maryland developes new algorithms.
The planet has lost 2.3 million square kilometers of forest in the past 12 years, which is equivalent to losing 50 soccer fields every minute. The aim of developing Global Forest Watch is to change people and businesses' thoughts of forest. Besides, governments will be able to use it to reinforce forest laws, not only identify illegal forest clearing but meet conservation and climate goals.