Stopping Illegal Mining in the Amazon with Satellite Data

How is new tech helping protect the rainforest? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn about how space technology is helping uncover illegal gold mines and protecting the Amazon, with illegal mining expert Larissa Rodrigues and Earth researcher Jennifer Holm.

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We explore how using space technology and satellite images can help us understand Earth’s surface. Learn how the democratization of satellite imagery is helping crowdsource data. Larissa Rodrigues, a São Paulo researcher in energy and land use, tells us about how satellite images help discover illegal gold mining operations in the Amazon Rainforest. We discuss the impacts of these operations on the surrounding environments and what they look for in satellite images. What are the main challenges in shutting down illegal mines?

Next, we are joined by Jennifer Holm, Earth Research Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, to learn about the Amazon’s contribution to the climate. What is a Carbon Sink? Is the Amazon the lungs of the planet? How do we incentivize countries to keep their rainforests? Learn about deforestation, plans to reforest the Amazon, and how LIDAR gets used to see through the jungle canopy. How can ordinary people help save the Amazon?

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00:00 - Introduction: Satellite Imaging
6:38 - Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon
13:25 - Mining-Related Health Consequences
18:30 - Other Consequences of Illegal Mining
20:55 - Shutting Down the Mines
24:51 - How Satellite Data Helps
27:06 - Deforestation & Climate Change
29:40 - The Many Roles of The Amazon
34:48 - Mitigating Drought
36:21 - Reforestation in the Amazon Basin
40:46 - Forest Degradation
41:31 - Monitoring Climate Models & Imaging
45:40 - Using LIDAR
48:28 - Crowdsourcing Data
51:30 - Halting Amazon Deforestation