World Space Week 2024 – How Earth Observation Continues to Shape Our Understanding of Climate Change

The Power of Space-Based Observations

Our understanding of Earth’s climate is largely dependent on satellite measurements, as nearly half of all climate variables can only be accurately observed from space. With over 700 Earth observation satellites orbiting our planet, scientists now have access to an abundance of data. This data offers valuable insights into environmental dynamics and human impacts, including agricultural practices, deforestation, rising sea levels, greenhouse gas emissions, melting polar ice caps, and desertification.

In this World Space Week special blog, we explore how global capabilities in this field have advanced over the years and how MI partners have continued to play a key role in shaping our collective understanding of this important topic.

A Brief History of Space and Climate Science – The UK at the Forefront

To fully appreciate how our understanding of the weather and climate has advanced, we must look back to the establishment of the Met Office in 1854. This pivotal moment sparked a significant shift in climate data collection and set in motion a chain of advancements in how we monitor the Earth’s climate.

A century later, the launch of NASA’s Nimbus (1964) and Landsat (1972) satellites revolutionised the study of Earth’s climate, weather systems, and atmosphere. These satellites provided new insights into global temperatures, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and sea ice thickness.

The establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1975 and RAL Space in Britain in the 1980s were pivotal in developing advanced remote sensing instruments and expanding Earth Observation science globally. The UK quickly realised that collaboration was key to success, providing leadership in these early years. In 1990, influential climate scientist Sir John Houghton led the first report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Recognising the potential applications of Earth Observation, the British Government funded academic programmes in the early 1990s, laying the foundation for world-leading Earth Observation work in the UK. In 1991, the first of the UK’s ATSR (Along Track Scanning Radiometer) instruments was launched on board the ESA European Remote Sensing satellite (ERS-1), recording digital infrared images of the Earth. This advancement in technology enabled more consistent and accurate recording of sea and land temperature.

This collective expertise of the UK’s scientific community ultimately led to the creation of the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) in 2006, an important collaborative research centre now headquartered at Space Park Leicester. The work of UK scientists has also been hugely influential in the creation of the ESA Climate Change Initiative, established in 2008.

Pioneering Efforts by MI Space Group

Since the 1990s, MI Space Group members have been at the forefront of Earth Observation, utilising growing capabilities to shape our understanding and ability to predict climate change. Data from ESA missions, analysed by Midlands Innovation Space research groups, has been fundamental to our growing understanding of climate change over this period.

Current Applications Across the MI Space Group

Satellites generate vast amounts of complex data that must be organised and analysed. Recent advances in satellite and sensor technology, along with AI and machine learning, are transforming raw Earth observation data into actionable insights at unprecedented speeds. This technology allows specialists across the MI partnership to gain new insights in areas such as:

  • Air quality at city, regional, and global scales
  • Human impact on global atmospheric composition
  • Interactions between chemistry, climate, and meteorology
  • Weather forecasting
  • Health impacts of air pollution
  • Global water cycle management
  • Agricultural monitoring inc. crop health and yield production

The work carried out across the partnership informs a wide range of national and international government bodies and private companies, from the European Space Agency and NASA to the UK Government and corporations like Unilever.

The Growing Role of Artificial Intelligence

AI is significantly enhancing the way our planet is monitored and understood. For example, the University of Nottingham is exploring how machine learning can improve Greenhouse Gas Stocktaking for Climate Change Mitigation. Their research aims to better characterise methane emissions on Earth’s surface, with plans to develop a countrywide emissions inventory for South Africa.

Cranfield University’s Applied Remote Sensing group focuses on developing cutting-edge techniques for extracting information from satellite data. Their work spans deforestation, agriculture, food security, resource exploration, and hydroclimatic extremes such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

Influencing Climate Policy

Scientists from across the MI partnership play an important role within a community of scientists from across the UK, Europe, and beyond, sharing data and insights to meet the global challenge of climate change.

For example, data from University of Leicester scientists continually features in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, forming the basis for much government policy. Cranfield University is also a key partner in the Hydroterra+ team, a mission proposal by ESA for their Earth Explorer programme. This mission aims to understand rapid processes of the water cycle, such as extreme weather events and daily agricultural water use, and improve observations of ground motion for applications like landslide monitoring and understanding earthquakes, volcanoes, and tectonic motion. This work could help transform weather forecasting and water resource management across Europe and Africa.

A Collaborative Future

The work of the Midlands Innovation Space group partners underscores the crucial role of space-based observations in understanding and mitigating climate change. Their research not only advances scientific knowledge but also informs policy and practical solutions to address the climate crisis.

The universities in the MI partnership boast world-leading expertise, ranging from space mission design and manufacturing to critical applications in climate science, agriculture, and hydrology. Their work also spans commercial applications and government policy, impacting human society globally.

Looking ahead, the MI Space Group, as one of the largest collectives of space experts in the world, will continue to lead developments in this field. The group remains committed to collaborative efforts, a strategy that has historically led to ground-breaking innovations.

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