Monitoring climate change from space: All hands on deck to save Earth

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• October 11, 2022

Insight summary

Scientists need to know the specific effects of climate change to create better mitigation strategies and technologies. Some Earth observation satellites and space-based technologies are being used to deliver reliable, long-term data about how greenhouse gases have affected the planet. This information enables researchers to see emerging patterns and make more accurate forecasts.

Monitoring climate change from space context

Environmental monitoring through Earth observation satellites plays a crucial role in understanding our planet's ecology and atmosphere. These satellites are essential for observing areas where ground-based infrastructure is not feasible. For instance, during the devastating bushfires in Australia at the end of 2019, satellites were instrumental in tracking the impact of these fires on air quality across vast distances, including as far as 15,000 kilometers away in the US. Besides tracking terrestrial phenomena, these satellites are vital for oceanic studies. Given that oceans cover approximately 70 percent of the Earth's surface, they are key to regulating our climate, absorbing carbon dioxide, and supporting marine life that provides sustenance to coastal communities.

The future of satellite technology is poised to bring significant advancements in our understanding of the Earth. One such development is the creation of a more precise digital twin of Earth. This digital model will enable scientists to simulate various scenarios and assess potential outcomes, enhancing our ability to forecast and mitigate environmental challenges. The next frontier in space-based observation includes hyperspectral meteorology missions. These missions aim to provide comprehensive three-dimensional data about the Earth's atmosphere, surpassing the surface-level data. This enhanced data will not only offer deeper insights into atmospheric phenomena like air travel, pollution, and typhoons but also improve our ability to monitor water quality, biodiversity, and other critical environmental indicators.

The implications of these advancements in satellite technology are profound. With more detailed and timely information, researchers will be able to observe global environmental patterns with greater precision. This will enable more accurate predictions of climate change effects, including the occurrence of droughts, heatwaves, and forest fires. Such detailed observations are crucial for devising strategies to tackle these environmental challenges. 

Disruptive impact

In 2021, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced a partnership to monitor how climate change affects Earth by sharing satellite data and analytics. Both agencies have some of the most advanced tools and teams for space monitoring and research. According to ESA’s press release, this agreement will serve as a model for future international cooperation, giving data crucial to addressing climate change and answering the most pressing issues in Earth science. This collaboration is on top of existing joint projects like the Earth System Observatory. The observatory project focuses more on Earth-based missions to supply essential data regarding climate change, disaster prevention, forest fires, and real-time agricultural processes. 

Meanwhile, in 2022, NASA announced its plans to launch a satellite project called TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats). The agency will launch six small satellites (smallsats) into orbit to better understand how tropical cyclones are formed, which have been difficult to predict. The units are equipped with microwave radiometers that will enable forecasters to see occurrences otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

The data will be transmitted back to Earth for numerical weather prediction models. In 2021, a test satellite was launched, which provided crucial information about Hurricane Ida. With hurricanes becoming more frequent due to climate change, this increased data will help researchers track tropical storms more accurately.

Implications of monitoring climate change from space

Wider implications of monitoring climate change from space may include: 

• More companies, such as SpaceX, focusing on creating artificial intelligence-driven satellites and drones for space monitoring.
• An increased number of earth observation businesses offering different monitoring technologies, such as measuring thermal footprints of buildings and managing air pollution.
• Increased partnerships among different space agencies to share crucial information. However, this collaboration will depend on how space politics and regulations are developed.
• Startups creating digital twins of cities, rainforests, oceans, and deserts to monitor climate change.
• Increased debates on how the increasing number of satellites, both for monitoring and commercial purposes, make it difficult for astronomers to study space.
• Insurance companies adjusting policies and premiums based on more precise environmental data, leading to more accurate risk assessments for natural disasters.
• Urban planners utilizing enhanced satellite data to design cities that are better adapted to changing climate conditions, resulting in more resilient urban environments.
• Agriculture industries adopting satellite-based monitoring systems to optimize crop yields and resource usage, leading to increased food security and sustainable farming practices.

Questions to consider

• How else can governments cooperate to monitor climate change from space?
• What are the other potential technologies that can help scientists monitor from outer space?