Hamilton-based UN think tank’s flood mapping tool named one of 2021’s 100 greatest innovations
In a climate-hectic world, knowing when and where disasters have struck is an indispensable resource to plan ahead.
So said Popular Science, the more than century-old American magazine, when it named a Hamilton-made world flood mapping tool as one of 2021's 100 greatest innovations Tuesday.
The free, simple-to-use tool - released by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) last October - requires only internet access to map out floods since 1985, down to street level and anywhere in the globe.
It was honoured in the annual list's security category.
We are proud of this recognition from Popular Science and appreciate the additional attention the award will generate for the flood mapping tool," Vladimir Smakhtin, director of UNU-INWEH, is quoted as saying in a release. The greatest reward will be its use to improve disaster mitigation and other planning, especially in the Global South."
Drawing from decades-old Google Earth and Landsat data, the tool is accurate within 30 metres and allows users to pinpoint gaps in flood defences and responses. That, in turn, gives way to future development of all kinds - like where to upgrade infrastructure or grow agriculture.
Popular Science, which began the list in 1988, reviews thousands of breakthrough products and technologies each year that represent significant advancement in 10 innovative fields such as aerospace and automotive, engineering and entertainment, and gadgets and health.
It called the flood mapping tool an invaluable resource that will help planners mitigate harm from future deluge.
According to the water institute - based in McMaster Innovation Park and the only UN university in Canada - floods have impacted the lives of more than half a billion over the last decade and resulted in damages north of $500 billion. Two weeks ago, unprecedented floods and mudslides in British Columbia left several people dead, severed access to multiple highways and killed thousands of livestock.
We need to prepare now for more intense and more frequent floods due to climate change and hope this tool will help developing nations in particular to see and mitigate the risks more clearly," said Smakhtin.
Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com