Here on Earth, we have more detailed maps of Mars than of our own ocean, and that's a problem. A massive force for surviving climate change, the ocean absorbs 90% of the heat caused by emissions and generates 50% of the oxygen we breathe. "We have the ocean to thank for so many aspects of our safety and well-being," says Dawn Wright, oceanographer and chief scientist at geographic information system (GIS) provider Esri, who notes the ocean also provides renewable energy, a major food source, and a transportation corridor for not only ships but submarine internet cables. Now, the same type of smart maps and geospatial technology guiding outer space exploration support the quest to better understand and protect our ocean. "For the first time, our knowledge of the ocean can approach our knowledge of the land," Wright says.

Not much progress is being made in the Netherlands when it comes to making homes sustainable. Many building owners are still trying to find how best to achieve this. At the same time, providers of sustainability solutions are having trouble scaling up. This impasse has not gone unnoticed by TNO, so they are using artificial intelligence to work out on a case-by-case basis which solutions are best suited to which homes. If you would like to know more about the algorithm that will make homes more sustainable, or if you are working on a similar project, please get in touch with Rogier Donkervoort.

The 21st century is the age of data and artificial intelligence, two powerful tools with the potential to solve some of the world's most pressing problems. Yet many researchers and leaders are still trying to take on today's challenges using tools from the past -- especially when it comes to protecting the environment. Take, for instance, the iconic Chesapeake Bay: Its watershed stretches from Pennsylvania south to Virginia in the United States, spanning more than 64,000 square miles and supporting more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. Despite its importance, its health over decades has been marred by sewage overflows and runoff of animal waste and chemicals. The future of the watershed, home to 17 million people, depends upon smart conservation that is informed by data about where growth is least harmful and where interventions can be most helpful.