Joe Riedl — Climate GIS Consultant

Services

What I Do

Geospatial expertise applied to climate adaptation — from hazard mapping to institutional capacity, grounded in field context.

I.

Climate Vulnerability Mapping

Extreme weather is getting worse. Some are hit harder than others. I map those geographic disparities using a composite of vulnerability indices. By layering climate hazard with social factors (income, access to services, infrastructure), the analysis reveals not just where risk exists, but who is most exposed. My multi-hazard spatial analysis utilizes CMIP6 projections, open source administrative datasets, and community input for localized and scaled assessments.

II.

Remote Sensing for Adaptation

Communities are already retreating from sea level rise. Prolonged drought is forcing farmers to uproot entirely. Over a billion people worldwide live in informal settlements that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Climate mitigation is no longer the sole necessity. Adaptation is paramount and remote sensing can help. I use Sentinel, Landsat and Earth Engine to understand and communicate realities on the ground.

III.

GIS Capacity Building

While most of the time you'll find me behind the computer screen, my true passion is talking to people. Giving people the tools to perform these analyses will help them strengthen their communities. I have conducted trainings to build GIS capacity both remotely and in person on five continents. From data management and spatial workflows to monitoring and evaluation using GIS tools.

Selected Work

Past Engagements

A selection of projects across climate adaptation, development, and conservation.

Climate Analysis & Remote Sensing 2025

Mesoscale Frontal Wave Analysis — Measuring Impact

Analyzed the effects of mesoscale frontal waves on North Pacific storms using NASA MERRA2 data, finding a statistically significant increase in storm duration and intensity. First author in partnership with Portland State University and the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Vulnerability Mapping 2024

Madagascar — Layered Land Tenure Vulnerability Analysis

Combined on-the-ground fieldwork in remote regions of Madagascar with technical expertise to conduct a countrywide, high-resolution geospatial risk analysis. Built a methodological workflow to replicate the analysis in other countries throughout Africa. First author on a fact sheet for CIFOR–ICRAF with funding support from GIZ.

Madagascar Land Tenure Vulnerability Analysis

Capacity Building 2024

Kenya & Global — Multilayered Vulnerability Assessment and GIS Workshops

Non-author contributor to UN-Habitat's Multilayered Vulnerability Analysis Handbook. Assisted with implementation of the analysis with country offices on three continents. Delivered supplemental workshops on GIS and spatial analysis.