Ocean Climate Tracking

Brian Halligan describes a business opportunity in climate measurement systems, specifically focused on precise tracking and measurement of environmental conditions to support carbon markets and insurance companies.

Key Points:

• Core Problem:

  • Current global warming measurements are "horrible"
  • Need better measurement systems beyond just aggregate global temperature

• Measurement Systems Focus Areas:

  • Ocean temperature tracking
  • Ocean salinity measurements
  • Atmospheric temperature monitoring
  • Tide measurement systems
  • Storm prediction capabilities

• Key Business Applications:

  • Feed data to insurance companies for storm prediction
  • Input data into carbon exchanges
  • Support emerging carbon markets

• Market Opportunity:

  • Carbon trading will become like traditional financial markets:
    • Similar to stock markets
    • Similar to commodities markets
    • Will spawn numerous supporting businesses
  • Currently lacks good tracking systems
  • Big opportunity for companies that can figure out accurate tracking

• Target Customers:

  • Insurance companies
  • Carbon exchanges
  • European markets initially
  • Eventually global markets

The business opportunity lies in building precise measurement and tracking systems that can become the backbone of the emerging carbon economy and climate risk assessment industry.