Imagine a city map that doesn’t just display streets and landmarks—but reveals where environmental risks are greatest, from scorching heat islands to flood-prone neighborhoods. This kind of map becomes more than just a planning tool; it’s a survival guide, directing cities on where to plant trees, cool communities, and safeguard vulnerable populations.

In this episode of Preview of Tomorrow, host Mike Lake sits down with Imeshi Weerasinghe, CEO and co-founder of WEO, to explore how satellite imagery and AI are transforming the way cities prepare for climate threats. Together, they discuss how data-driven insights are helping communities move beyond outdated information and take targeted, effective action to build greener, safer, and more resilient urban environments.

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Imagine standing in the middle of a critical decision-making moment—one where the wrong move could cost millions or even put lives at risk. Now imagine that you don’t have the tools or resources to see the full picture, to understand the consequences of your options in real time. This is the reality for countless organizations today. From emergency response to urban planning, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, many teams lack the means to visualize complex data and scenarios quickly enough to make informed choices... But there’s a new way forward. Listen to Mike Lake and Ethan Berg in the newest episode of Preview of Tomorrow to discuss Agora World's approach to digital twins. 

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Picture this: Plaster, paint, and grout oozing down embankments, forming toxic sludge that drips into waterways, contaminating the water and seeping into the bodies of fish and other wildlife. It sounds like a horror scene, but believe it or not, this is a daily reality at countless construction sites around the world. Did you know that every year, an estimated 60 billion liters of polluted water, filled with chemicals and microplastics, is discharged from construction sites—affecting not just the environment but the food chain itself. In today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake joins Andrew Crimston of Washbox Global to discuss Washbox's fully mobile tool cleaning system. 

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Imagine waking up to a world where water is a luxury—where entire cities are parched, and communities are left to scramble for every drop. Unfortunately, this isn’t a far-off dystopia. By 2050, over half of the global population will be living in water-stressed areas, and saltwater intrusion is projected to contaminate vital groundwater sources, affecting up to 1.5 billion people. As climate disasters intensify, the systems we rely on for water are at risk of total failure. But amidst this crisis, Gravity Water is offering a beacon of hope.

Meet the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Solution of the Year in today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow. 

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In a world where over 40% of urban flash floods strike with little to no warning, modern communities are constantly on edge, facing unpredictable threats that can disrupt lives and devastate economies. The lack of accurate, real-time weather prediction doesn’t just challenge urban areas—it’s a global issue. The agricultural sector, which feeds billions, suffers immensely from this unpredictability, losing an estimated 16% of global crop production each year simply due to unexpected weather events. And the problem is growing. With climate change intensifying weather patterns, the frequency and severity of such events are only set to increase, pushing our already strained systems to the brink. Listen to Mike Lake tackle this issue with Jason Deese of Flash Weather AI, and discover how FLASH is addressing these challenges head-on. 

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With Chiara Rinaldi of Sustainaccount

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Water. It’s the essence of life, flowing through every corner of our planet, sustaining all forms of life. However, an alarming 32 billion cubic meters of water are lost every year through leaks and inefficiencies in our water systems. This staggering waste not only translates to billions of dollars in economic losses but also exacerbates the global water crisis, leaving countless communities without access to clean, safe water. The harsh reality is that by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. But this problem isn't just about scarcity; it's about the vast inefficiencies that lead to lost water and missed opportunities for better resource management. Join host Mike Lake as he welcomes Hélio Samora of SmartAcqua to his Preview of Tomorrow. 

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On December 5th, 1933, the 21st amendment of The U.S. Constitution was ratified, effectively ending Prohibition in the United States. 90 years later, alcohol has become a well-studied substance with universally accepted quantities for what constitutes a single drink. But recently, there’s been a new player in town. Cannabis. Across the United States, widespread legalization of marijuana has hurtled our country into uncharted territory. In 2018, more than 12 million Americans admitted to driving while under the influence of cannabis. Unlike alcohol, with no “legal limit” or field sobriety test, the dangers of driving while impaired by marijuana become all the more consequential. In fact, it was found that the rate of fatal crashes attributed to impaired driving doubles in states that have recently legalized the drug. All in all, it doesn’t matter if you are for or against cannabis, as my guest today is an advocate for safety. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Denise Valenti, CEO of IMMAD, a company that has developed a technology that can measure visual field functions that are essential for safe driving. 

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In the time it took you to brush your teeth this morning, there were over 900 calls placed to 911 emergency services in the United States alone. But would you believe that out of these 900 calls made, almost 300 of them were either non-emergencies or complete butt dials? Unfortunately, within the past couple years, the coronavirus pandemic has spurred an increase in call volume to emergency services, while simultaneously introducing a myriad of understaffing issues. In fact, 77% of public-safety answering points, such as 911 and emergency dispatch, reported being consistently below authorized staffing levels in 2022. But it’s not just emergency services that have been suffering. The utilities sector experienced the second to highest percentage of worker resignations last year, leaving those still in the field to be completely overburdened with customer calls. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Tinna Hung, director of marketing at Daupler, a company that has created a response management system that can be used to help service providers prioritize emergencies and effortlessly match a service to an available provider. 

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When was the last time you had a meal? Maybe it was a quick granola bar before work, or possibly you’re eating some lunch right now. Whatever the case may be, I bet you didn’t realize that you were consuming a resource that, in about 40 years, will be as precious as gold. It has been estimated that, in order to keep up with the current population growth, humans will need to produce more food in the next 40 years than in the previous 10,000 years combined. But here’s the kicker. If we increased production by clearing out more agricultural space (like we have in the past), it’s estimated that by 2050, this would create about 2 billion more metric tons of CO2 to be emitted into the atmosphere. So, how do we deal with such an imminent crisis if we don’t even have the space or the resources to do so? Where do we go from here? … Well, how about up? Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Juan Succar, co-founder and CCO of Verde Compacto, a company designing indoor vertical farms allowing fresh food anywhere, anytime with their revolutionary farm-to-table supply chain. 

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