Mapping the future before the water arrives
In Tonga, a quieter but significant climate initiative is underway. With support from the UNDP, the country is preparing to complete full national LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping of its low-lying islands in 2026, creating the first comprehensive high-resolution elevation dataset across the archipelago which is amazing news! The project may sound technical, but its implications are deeply practical. LiDAR data allows scientists and planners to model coastal flooding, storm surge and long-term sea-level rise with far greater precision. For a country where entire communities sit just metres above sea level, that information shapes everything from infrastructure planning to disaster preparedness. For those working in climate adaptation, this kind of investment in data infrastructure is foundational. Before governments can redesign coastlines, relocate communities or strengthen infrastructure, they need to understand the terrain they’re working with. In that sense, the LiDAR survey is more than a mapping exercise -- it’s about building the evidence base for decisions that will shape Tonga’s future in a changing ocean. 👉 Read moreIn Tonga, a quieter but significant climate initiative is underway. With support from the UNDP, the country is preparing to complete full national LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping of its low-lying islands in 2026, creating the first comprehensive high-resolution elevation dataset across the archipelago which is amazing news! The project may sound technical, but its implications are deeply practical. LiDAR data allows scientists and planners to model coastal flooding, storm surge and long-term sea-level rise with far greater precision. For a country where entire communities sit just metres above sea level, that information shapes everything from infrastructure planning to disaster preparedness. For those working in climate adaptation, this kind of investment in data infrastructure is foundational. Before governments can redesign coastlines, relocate communities or strengthen infrastructure, they need to understand the terrain they’re working with. In that sense, the LiDAR survey is more than a mapping exercise -- it’s about building the evidence base for decisions that will shape Tonga’s future in a changing ocean. 👉 Read moreExpert summary pending. Showing the newcomer version.