Unbiased view on climate change. How satellites see the effects
Clear evidence of changes to our climate is seen in data sent by satellites providing an unbiased view on the much-debated issue. Last year was the hottest on record, while the Arctic sea ice is on the decline and sea levels continue to rise.
From greenhouse gas emissions to ozone, sea ice to soil moisture and more, spaceborne instruments provide researchers with the independent and scientific facts which show that Earth’s climate is changing, ESA says. The agency created the Climate Change Initiative (CCI), to overcome the challenge of comparing data acquired by different satellites. The CCI integrates datasets derived from different Earth-observing missions to produce the most comprehensive global, long-term records possible for each factor influencing Earth at large.
The CCI integrates datasets derived from different Earth-observing missions to produce the most comprehensive global, long-term records possible for each factor influencing Earth at large.
loading...
The global, consistent coverage that satellite data provide is ideal for the type of research undertaken by climate scientists, but the long-term series of data needed by climate scientists is significantly longer than the lifetime of satellite missions.
One of the major threats of global warming, especially for low-lying coastal areas is the global sea level. Estimates show that it is rising by about 3 mm a year.
“Climate and Earth system science are essential to position countries at the forefront of the green revolution. Space-based Earth observation plays an increasingly important role given the satellites’ global reach with the same monitoring instruments. Europe is committed to contribute to a better understanding of planet Earth and to its preservation,” Josef Aschbacher, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes, said.
Loading...