The recent launch event for the "Atlas of the Human Planet 2024" highlighted the crucial role of satellite data in addressing various societal challenges and disasters. Organised by the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), this event highlighted that integrating data from satellites improves our understanding of human presence and settlements, offering insights into global risk landscape.
For over two decades, the Commission's JRC has been dedicated to mapping human presence, leveraging this essential information to support the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The latest edition of the Atlas of the Human Planet presents a comprehensive 50-year perspective on global population growth and urbanisation trends, and offers invaluable insights for policymakers, researchers, and disaster management professionals. The JRC's Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) spatial database includes the key variables of population density, built-up surface, and settlement types, the latter including cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas. A key section maps high-risk areas, a crucial resource for civil protection authorities as they use this data to inform decision-making. Designed for a general, non-technical readership, the Atlas makes extensive use of graphics and images, aiming to inform the broadest possible audience about the role of science and data in addressing major societal challenges, including disaster preparedness and prevention.
Opening Remarks
The event commenced with an opening statement from Matthias Oel, Director of JRC Directorate E-Societal Resilience and Security. He set the stage for the discussions to follow, emphasising the Atlas's significance in the context of contemporary challenges.
Session 1: Findings from the Atlas
Moderated by Tom De Groeve, JRC Head of Unit E.1 - Disaster Risk Management, this session featured presentations by Daniele Ehrlich and Thomas Kemper from the JRC. Ehrlich provided an introduction to the Atlas, detailing its importance and how it integrates satellite data into operational maps. Kemper presented spatial patterns of cities, emphasising the need to understand urbanisation trends to address vulnerabilities in disaster risk management effectively. The session highlighted the crucial role of the atlas in mapping human settlements, with key products such as the GHS Built-up Surface and the 2022 GHS Population Density maps. These tools are essential for crisis management, enabling better preparedness and response strategies.
Session 2: Policy Context for the Atlas
The second session, moderated by Matthias Oel, included a discussion with representatives of various Directorate Generals (DGs), such as DG REGIO, DG DEFIS, DG ECHO and DG CLIMA. These experts discussed how the data from the Atlas could support policy development across different sectors, particularly in crisis management, urban development, and climate resilience.
The Atlas of the Human Planet 2024 presents crucial insights for civil protection authorities, emphasising the pressing need to assess and address urban population growth, exposure to natural hazards, and vulnerabilities in high-density and coastal regions. With over 4 billion people added in the last 50 years and cities nearly tripling, understanding where populations are most at risk is paramount for preparedness. The Atlas’s data—on urbanisation patterns, disaster exposure, and regional vulnerabilities—enables authorities to design policies that anticipate risks, enhance resilience in urban planning, and strategically allocate resources to protect populations in hazard-prone areas. As the world continues to grapple with rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges, the Atlas stands as a beacon of knowledge, guiding efforts toward a more resilient future.
You can download the Atlas of the Human Planet 2024 following this link: JRC Publications Repository - Atlas of the Human Planet 2024 (europa.eu)
Sectors
Risk drivers