If I could put a little super hero cape on Google's logo, I would. Always innovative, Google is creating an online system that will tie the world together with an emergency response system, so to speak.

Google new site - Google.org  will be used to "Predict and Prevent" hot spots in the world, in order to help be proactive with local, regional, or global crises. 

Google states:

Google.org's initial focus will be on emerging infectious diseases, which are on the rise worldwide. Climate change, urbanization, and rising international travel and trade all contribute to this threat. Moreover, humans and animals are coming into closer contact because of environmental degradation and increased demand for animal products. Nearly three out of four new diseases in the last three decades have spread from animals to humans. While everyone faces increasing risk from emerging infectious diseases, the world's poor – who have minimal or no access to health care and may live with and depend on animals for their livelihood – are exceptionally vulnerable and stand to suffer the most.

The technology is smart. By sharing information worldwide, they use 'vulnerability mapping' and identify potential problem areas, or hot spots. Then, Google will attempt to create systems to better detect threats to provide early warning and enable a rapid response.

Google.org supports efforts to generate accountability and "bottom up" citizen engagement to influence the quality of public services. We will support efforts to provide easily accessible information to people so that they can choose the best strategy for themselves and their community. We will use multiple modes of communication (such as media, mobile, e-kiosks and other technologies) to allow a broader range of people to access information and we will seek innovative methods for disseminating information.

To learn more about this innovative system, that has real possibility in 'helping the world' react faster to natural, social and biological disasters, visit : http://www.google.org/predict.html