Monitoring the impacts of fossil fuel extraction
Fossil fuels drive climate change. From its earliest days, SkyTruth has been documenting the impacts of mining for coal, oil, and natural gas, generating data about these activities that provides researchers, advocates, journalists, and policymakers new insights into the implications of continued fossil fuel dependence.
By measuring the destruction of mountaintops, documenting the exact locations of mining sites, and revealing the true extent of oil spills, SkyTruth’s data has helped demonstrate the dangers inherent in fossil fuel extraction, and armed our partners with robust data to create pressure for a shift away from extraction and towards renewable energy.
Climate issues and threats
Mountaintop
mining
SkyTruth updates its map of mountaintop mining in Central Appalachia annually to illuminate the spread of this destructive practice. We currently are developing metrics to document recovery at previously mined sites.
Hydraulic fracturing
(fracking)
SkyTruth Monitor sends email alerts on new drilling activity in key states. Our web app of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania allows anyone to visualize the impact of drilling on local communities. SkyTruth is detecting oil and gas activities in remote locations using machine learning algorithms.
Natural gas
flaring
SkyTruth’s Global Flaring Map shows nightly satellite detections of natural gas flaring across the entire planet. Our Annual Flaring Volume Estimates map reveals how much natural gas has been flared from drilling activities virtually anywhere.
Offshore
drilling
We track major oil spills around the world. Our SkyTruth Monitor sends email alerts on oil and hazardous materials spills reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Worldview image is exactly what I’m looking for, enabling New Mexico policymakers and the public to see the inexcusable amounts of natural gas flaring by oil and gas companies in the NM Permian. Fantastic. We’re setting the stage for a state Venting, Flaring & Leak rule and the image belies industry’s claims that they are already fixing the problem, showing just how widespread flaring really is.
Our latest work on climate
Join us on our journey to protect the environment
We publish newsletters and blogs to keep users informed of fresh work and analysis.