Britain's mapmakers are on the front lines of climate change, using their expertise to track and visualize the impacts of a warming planet. While many people might think of climate change as a distant, abstract concept, the reality is that its effects are already being felt across the country, and the mapmakers at the UK's national mapping agency, the Ordnance Survey (OS), are at the forefront of documenting these changes.
One of the key ways that the OS is tracking climate change is by monitoring changes in habitats and landscapes. Tom Gray, a utilities and transport expert at the OS, explains that "there's a noticeable change in habitats, mainly because of human intervention...but also the direct impacts of climate change, especially around waterways." By studying these changes, the OS can identify areas that are at risk of flooding, wildfire, and other climate-related hazards.
For example, the OS has identified that 12% of the UK's strategic road network and 20% of the rail network are in the highest risk zone for flooding. This information is invaluable for emergency services, who can use it to plan their responses and ensure that they are prepared for the worst-case scenarios. As Helen Jones, one of the OS's drone pilots, explains, "If that rural land has any issues in terms of fires or flooding, if the estate isn't mapped, (emergency services) won't know that people will be in trouble or that there needs to be a certain response."
The OS's work is not just about identifying risks, but also about helping to mitigate them. By collecting location data and maintaining a vast National Geographic Database, the OS can provide up-to-date information on the changing landscape. This data is used by a wide range of services, from emergency services to councils, to plan for and respond to climate emergencies. For example, the OS's drone pilots, like Jones, can quickly update maps with new information, allowing other agencies to predict where they might need to cut off gas and water, and potentially evacuate people.
What makes the OS's work particularly fascinating is the level of detail that they are able to capture. As Sean Kennedy, a specialist at the OS, explains, the process of turning drone footage into maps is so detailed that a single block can take several hours. This level of detail is crucial, as it allows authorities to see where access points to housing estates are, which is essential when planning for climate emergencies such as wildfires. "It's quite good when we come out on site because people come and ask what you're doing and we're able to explain that actually, because the emergency services use our data, it's really important that we get their house on the map," Jones says.
The OS's work is a powerful reminder of the importance of mapping and data in the fight against climate change. By tracking changes in habitats, landscapes, and infrastructure, the OS is providing critical information that can help to protect communities and mitigate the impacts of a warming planet. In my opinion, the OS's work is a shining example of how technology and data can be used to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. It is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and our ability to adapt to a changing world.
