It is often said in discussions on resource management that there is no Planet B to fall back on once Earth’s resources are depleted. And while that may be true, the rise of digital twins on a planetary scale will not provide us with additional resources—but it will help us manage the ones we have more effectively and gain a clearer understanding of the world we inhabit. The latest example is a digital twin of the Earth unveiled by tech company NVIDIA, designed to deepen our understanding of climate change. Supercomputers, artificial intelligence, research centres, and vast datasets all play a crucial role in this development.
Earth’s new digital twin
The Taiwanese tech giant has launched a new platform called Earth-2: a digital twin of the planet designed to simulate the climate and predict extreme weather events with high precision. This tool enables scientists, governments, and businesses to anticipate events such as storms or droughts with unprecedented resolution—and in far less time than current forecasting methods.
Artificial intelligence for weather forecasting
At the heart of Earth-2 is an AI model capable of generating detailed climate predictions using existing datasets. The system learns to identify patterns in weather behaviour, allowing it to produce forecasts that are not only faster and more accurate but also more energy-efficient. Among its most promising features is the ability to detect hazardous phenomena—such as typhoons or air turbulence—well in advance.
Real-world applications across the globe
Various organisations are already beginning to adopt this technology. Taiwan’s meteorological agency, for example, plans to use it to improve typhoon alerts and carry out evacuations earlier. Private companies are also getting on board—The Weather Company, for instance, will use Earth-2 to visualise forecasts in 3D virtual environments to support better decision-making.
A digital twin in the cloud
This forecasting power is underpinned by a robust cloud infrastructure, allowing the platform to be accessed from anywhere in the world in real time. Earth-2 also provides 3D visualisations of meteorological phenomena—from wind maps to hurricane simulations—making it a valuable resource for scientists, emergency response teams, and urban planners alike.
Other worlds are possible
Earth-2 is not the first attempt to create a digital twin of the planet. Advances in AI, big data, sensor networks and supercomputing have made it possible to handle data volumes that were unimaginable only a few years ago. And the uses of planetary-scale twins go far beyond meteorology—they also offer the ability to monitor a wide range of environmental factors. Three major initiatives currently stand out:
1. Destination Earth (DestinE)
Destination Earth is one of the most ambitious global projects in this field. Led by the European Commission, it aims to create a highly detailed digital replica of the planet to simulate the Earth system with great precision. Launched in 2022, the initiative integrates vast environmental datasets, high-resolution predictive models and AI tools. Based on the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer in Barcelona, the platform can simulate the impact of climate change, track extreme weather trends and analyse interactions between human activity and ecosystems.
What makes DestinE unique is its open, collaborative framework. It is designed as a public infrastructure accessible to European governments, researchers and businesses to enhance climate planning, resource management and disaster preparedness. The platform includes three main components: a simulation model of the Earth system, an accessible service portal, and a secure, interoperable data repository. It is being developed with the support of organisations such as the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
2. Earth System Digital Twin
NASA has also embarked on developing a digital twin of Earth as part of its long-term planetary observation strategy. The goal is to build a dynamic virtual model of the Earth system that brings together satellite observations, climate simulations and AI-driven forecasting. This will allow scientists and policymakers to explore various what-if scenarios—such as the potential effects of reduced carbon emissions or increased deforestation in specific regions.
One of the most distinctive features of NASA’s digital twin is its integrated perspective: it does not just simulate the climate, but also incorporates ocean dynamics, atmospheric systems, biospheric processes and human activity. This approach will be key to anticipating events like droughts, wildfires or disruptions in the water cycle. Designed to evolve continuously, the model incorporates new data in real time to deliver an increasingly accurate picture of Earth’s condition.
3. Digital Twin Earth
The European Space Agency is working on its own version, known as Digital Twin Earth. This project focuses on continuous, high-precision monitoring of the planet from space. It leverages the Copernicus satellite constellation, along with land-based sensors, to feed a virtual model that mirrors global environmental conditions. The aim is to equip scientists and decision-makers with a powerful tool for assessing climate change impacts, predicting natural disasters and designing mitigation strategies.
ESA’s approach stands out for its combination of analytical and visual capabilities. Alongside numerical simulations, the platform offers interactive visualisations that help users better grasp Earth system dynamics. It also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Practical uses include water resource management, precision farming, wildfire tracking and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, at a smaller scale, digital twins are already used in many other domains—from energy systems to infrastructure. If you’re interested in how they are being applied in construction, take a look at a recent article we published on the topic.
Sources: