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Satellites above Earth with

John, did you know Earth is being more closely monitored than at any time in its history? Currently, there are more than 1,000 satellites observing extreme weather, rising sea levels and other impacts of our changing climate. These satellites can also collect the data we need to fight climate change. 

If you have 10 minutes, read this Vital Signs article to learn about five satellites that are helping us combat climate change from space.  

If you’re short on time, here’s a highlight about each satellite:
  • EDF affiliate MethaneSAT enables us to pinpoint sources of methane pollution with unprecedented precision, and then use that data to plug leaks and slow the rate of warming in the next decade. 
  • NASA’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite zooms in on coastlines, where 40% of the world’s population lives, to better understand sea level rise, flooding and these vulnerable places. 
  • EDF co-created OpenET, an online platform that uses satellite and weather station data to help farmers calculate how much water their crops really need and conserve water in a warming world. 
  • NISAR, a satellite collaboration between the U.S. and Indian space agencies, uses radar to penetrate cloud cover and forest canopies to track deforestation and help combat forest loss. 
  • Google and the World Food Programme developed a tool called SKAI that uses satellite data and AI technology to identify people in need of disaster assistance as well as damaged buildings.

As communities everywhere are experiencing extreme weather and other climate impacts, we need resilience strategies to cope in the near term. With the information from these eyes in the sky, we can more effectively slash climate pollution, conserve natural resources and prepare for the future. 

Read the article here and learn more about how satellites are helping us hold polluters accountable and more. 

Thanks for reading,  

Anne Russell Gregory 
Manager, Online Member Engagement
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