Digital Earth Twin: a revolutionary technology of the future

Increasingly frequent natural disasters and rapid climate change are becoming a serious problem in Europe. The solution to these challenges could be the Earth’s digital twin, developed by researchers as part of the European Commission’s Destination Earth (DestineE) project. This advanced technology makes it possible to monitor climate change, predict natural disasters and develop environmental strategies. The digital twin is revolutionizing the way we can forecast and manage the climate crisis in support of sustainable development and environmental security efforts.

What is Earth’s digital twin?

Earth’s digital twin is an advanced virtual model of our planet that uses the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analysis and computer simulations. The model collects huge amounts of geospatial and socioeconomic data from a variety of sources, enabling accurate and dynamic mapping of the interaction between human activities and natural phenomena. With this tool, it is possible to predict the impact of these interactions on water, energy and food systems.

Earth’s digital twin allows scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the planet’s complex processes, both locally and globally. Decision makers, meanwhile, gain a tool to respond quickly to emerging climate and environmental threats. This innovative solution is a key element in natural resource management and environmental protection, supporting sustainable development and environmental security efforts around the world.

How does the digital twin work?

The Earth replica is an extremely complex project on the technical side. It is modeled on the digital twins used in Industry 4.0, and is based on the computing system being developed under EuroHPC(European Joint Undertaking for Large Scale Computing). This includes one of the greenest supercomputers housed in Finland’s Kaajani data center, belonging to the LUMI consortium also responsible for developing the twin.

It is interesting to note that Poland also has its share in the creation of a digital replica of the planet. Indeed, our country is part of the LUMI consortium. It is represented by the Academic Computer Center Cyfronet of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow.

New technologies will help address complex environmental challenges in Europe

The replicas of the Earth’s complex system prepared under the Destination Earth project will not only help better predict extreme weather events, but also address complex environmental challenges in Europe. The digital twin will also ensure that sustainability efforts are optimized, supporting urban planning, water resource management and biodiversity conservation. It can, for example, provide information on where best to locate photovoltaic farms or what areas to move agriculture to so that society is affected as little as possible by climate change.

The European Commission is pinning its hopes that the forecasts and analyses being developed by the model will be an effective support in the continent’s quest to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Work on digital twin still underway

Currently, the digital simulation of the Earth consists of two models. The first (Climate Change Adaptation) allows for accurate modeling and forecasting of future climate conditions over the coming decades. The second (Weather-Related Extremes) focuses on extreme weather conditions, allowing monitoring and prediction of phenomena such as hurricanes, heat waves, intense rainfall or violent storms.

Both models are based on data from the Copernicus Earth observation program, implemented by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Space Agency, the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, EU agencies and the Mercator Océan research institute.

Our planet’s digital twin is expected to evolve steadily in the coming years. According to plans, by 2027. additional services and models on oceans, biodiversity and migration will be launched. Digital urban twins are also to be established in some European cities. Work to create a full replica of Earth will last until 2030.