West Virginia-based SkyTruth is culling satellite and aerial images to blow the whistle on unreported damage to the environment.
"Since 2001, West Virginia-based SkyTruth has been compiling published satellite and aerial images, then tasking computers and citizen volunteers to sort them to uncover potential environmental damage," according to an article by Rob Wile.
SkyTruth's big finds include revealing the true scope of the BP oil spill in 2010 as well as a Canadian mine in 2014 that spewed 1.3 billion gallons of toxic waste into the environment.
Wile goes on to detail SkyTruth's current project—the FrackFinder project, which is "plotting fracking activity across Pennsylvania and Ohio to better allow researchers to pinpoint where fracking is occurring." That effort uses publicly available satellite images from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another current project is tracking the disappearance of Louisiana's land mass.
FULL STORY: A small group from West Virginia is running the most important whistleblowing shop you’ve never heard of
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design
Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.
Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers
The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.
Fort Worth To Relaunch Bike Share System in January
Trinity Metro shuttered its current system at the end of November and plans to relaunch with a mostly-electric system.
A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit
The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Village of Glen Ellyn
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners