FAQ & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
OpenPlanet is a climate risk intelligence platform that provides high-resolution heat projections for any city on Earth. It estimates heat-related mortality, economic losses, and heatwave exposure using peer-reviewed epidemiological models, then lets you model the impact of interventions like urban tree cover and cool roofs.
The engine uses ERA5 reanalysis data via the Open-Meteo API for historical baselines (1991–2020), and a 2-model CMIP6 ensemble (MRI-AGCM3-2-S, MPI-ESM1-2-XR) for projections up to 2050. Projections are strictly capped at 2050 — we do not extrapolate to 2075 or 2100, maintaining strict adherence to available peer-reviewed CMIP6 outputs. Socioeconomic data (population, GDP, healthcare access) is sourced from the OpenPlanet Verified City Vault — hardcoded 2023-2024 UN/World Bank/census values for 59+ major cities.
No. They are research-grade estimates based on statistical models under specific emissions scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Mortality estimates carry a ±15% confidence interval and economic estimates carry ±8%. They are directional indicators for planning and analysis — not deterministic forecasts and not investment advice.
OpenPlanet is built for anyone who makes decisions about places — city planners assessing heatwave risk, climate researchers who need auditable projections, investors and risk teams quantifying GDP-at-risk, and curious individuals who want to understand what climate change means for a specific city.
The mortality model follows Gasparrini et al. (2017) published in Lancet Planetary Health (β = 0.0801). The economic model follows Burke et al. (2018) in Nature combined with ILO (2019) labor productivity data. Wet-bulb temperature uses the Stull (2011) empirical formula capped at 35°C per Sherwood & Huber (2010). All constants are documented and traceable. Post-2050 projections use IPCC AR6 regional deltas, not direct CMIP6 output — this is disclosed throughout.
Yes. Every city analysis includes a full Excel export — a 4-sheet audit model with a plain-language README, an editable Control Panel where you can change any input and watch outputs recalculate instantly, a Core Engine sheet with the complete peer-reviewed mathematics, and a Constants & Provenance sheet with full citations. The file is compatible with both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
If you have feedback, found a bug, or want to suggest a new feature, we'd love to hear from you. Just drop us a message using the contact form on this page.