Harnessing technology to drive climate action

By Cary Horan, Business Development Manager with OMRON Electronic Components - Americas

As we adapt to the realities of a changing climate, our ability to predict and prevent future disruptions improves. By detecting changes in weather patterns and effectively communicating necessary data to central users in real time, we can better prepare for what’s to come. However, achieving this requires cutting-edge sensors and robust network infrastructure to ensure fast, reliable data transmission and effective decisionmaking.

Smart street lighting: a bright idea for sustainability

One promising solution to addressing climate-related challenges is the development of smart street lights embedded with weather-tracking sensors. Almost all major roads and highways across the US are already equipped with powered street lights to ensure road safety, so what better structure for installing precision weather-tracking systems? Any type of sensor or indicator, be it measuring wind, temperature, humidity, or all of the above, can easily be equipped to most conventional street lights via power tap. As the industry grows, we are already seeing new developments where street lights come with built-in sensors.

These advanced lighting systems do more than just illuminate city streets – they capture real-time data on temperature, air quality, and weather patterns. By collecting and analysing this data, municipalities can monitor environmental conditions, detect changes, and respond proactively to potential hazards. Additionally, smart street
lights can reduce energy consumption through adaptive lighting, dimming when areas are unoccupied, and optimising electricity use based on actual needs.

However, the true value of this system lies in the seamless and accurate transmission of data. The development of broader IoT systems helps drive this forward in enabling more efficient environmental monitoring and response.

Intelligent infrastructure: data-driven decision-making

Smart networks have been growing across major metropolitan areas as a means of connection for years, and with sensors becoming increasingly more integral to everyday life, the demand for robust IoT networks continues to accelerate. Cellular data has been widely relied upon due to its wide range of coverage, however more
and more sensing networks are turning to lower-cost methods, such as Long Range (LoRa) networks. 

LoRa is built for low-bit data markets, meaning it can only transfer small packets of data per transfer. This can still be a key functionality in systems where only small amounts of data are gathered, such as sensors transmitting basic weather data. Despite its limited data throughput, LoRa can transmit over distances up to 10 miles –
offering a significant edge over alternatives like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi – and at a fraction of the cost of cellular networks. This makes it a highly cost-effective choice for many data-driven markets.

The path forward: sustainable tech for a resilient future

The convergence of electronics, IoT, and environmental consciousness presents an unprecedented opportunity to drive eco-innovation. By integrating sensing technologies into everyday infrastructure, such as smart street lighting and utilising advanced communication modules, manufacturers are creating innovative solutions to collect and transmit critical data that can support safer and more sustainable practices.

Take Los Angeles, for example, which spans over 30 thousand square miles. While officially classified as a Mediterranean climate, the city experiences significant weather variability, even over short distances. In the summertime, the coastal areas can experience the ocean breeze and mild temperatures of 75-80°, while inland and towards the downtown area can easily exceed 100° on the same day.

For such a vast and climate-diverse region, advanced weather detection systems are essential for managing these fluctuations. Cities like these are on the much larger and more extreme end; of course, the same technology and principles can be applied to cities around the world, enabling more efficient responses to climate variability. 

Similarly, in Tokyo, smart urban planning is addressing the urban heat island effect, where city areas become significantly hotter than their rural surroundings. The city has integrated sensors to monitor urban temperatures and air quality, and also employed strategies like planting more green spaces, using reflective surfaces, and installing cool roofs to reduce heat absorption. This data enables local governments to make informed decisions about cooling interventions that improve public health and reduce energy consumption.

By harnessing smart technologies, we can take proactive steps toward a more resilient and sustainable future, mitigating the effects of climate change and creating smarter, greener communities for generations to come.

This article originally appeared in the April'25 magazine issue of Electronic Specifier Design – see ES's Magazine Archives for more featured publications.