Understanding Our Planet’s Greatest Challenge
Climate change represents one of the most serious threats we face today, and its effects are already visible. Satellites serve as invaluable tools for expanding our understanding of climate processes and their consequences, helping us properly focus our action plans and response efforts.
Canada joined 194 other nations in reaching a climate agreement at the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21). Throughout their negotiations, they utilized data from Canadian satellites and space instruments.
Canadian Satellites Monitoring Our Climate
Several satellites help observe climate change, including:
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission and RADARSAT-2: Support marine surveillance, ecosystem monitoring, ice tracking, disaster management, resource management, and mapping across Canada and globally.
- SCISAT: Provides measurements of chemicals affecting the ozone layer.
- MOPITT (on Terra): Collects long-term data on carbon monoxide levels.
- OSIRIS (on Odin): Measures concentrations of ozone, aerosols, and nitrogen dioxide.
- CloudSat: Collects information on cloud cover to create three-dimensional profiles.
- SMAP: Expands knowledge of water cycles and carbon by producing global maps of soil moisture and tracking the seasonal freeze/thaw cycle.
- SMOS: Maps sea surface salinity, monitors global soil moisture, enhances understanding of the water cycle, and maps areas covered by snow and ice.
- SWOT (in development): Will observe ocean surfaces and measure changes in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and oceans over time.
Why Satellites Are Essential for Climate Monitoring
Tracking Climate Change Indicators
Climate change causes various consequences, including floods, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, melting polar ice caps, and rising sea levels. The complete extent of these catastrophic events can be observed from space. Climate change’s impact is experienced twice as rapidly in the Arctic compared to southern Canada.
Satellite data helps us better understand this global phenomenon and propose more effective solutions.
Understanding Clouds and Weather Patterns – CloudSat’s Mission
Using its radar, CloudSat collects information on cloud cover, including thickness and altitude (at both base and top), along with the amount of water and ice within the clouds.
CloudSat data aids in analyzing clouds, which are key water cycle components and solar energy reflectors. Since clouds may have a larger impact on climate change than greenhouse gases and other factors, studying them enables a better understanding of their effects on climate and weather.
Monitoring the Ozone Layer – OSIRIS on Odin
The OSIRIS instrument aboard the Odin satellite measures and maps ozone, aerosols, and nitrogen dioxide.
OSIRIS data helps scientists better comprehend the impact of human activities and natural phenomena on the environment and climate. This information plays a crucial role in international programs and organizations, including the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the World Meteorological Organization.
Measuring Pollution from Space
Human activities clearly have consequences for our planet. The energy we produce and consume, the manufactured products we purchase, and how we dispose of our waste at home and work are major causes of pollution.
Space satellites help experts identify pollution sources and monitor and study air, water, and soil quality. They can gather data on carbon monoxide distribution, detect oil spills, and locate areas contaminated by mining activities.
SCISAT’s Role
SCISAT measures more than 60 different atmospheric gases.
SCISAT observes ozone layer depletion and more effectively monitors developments in climate change, air quality, and pollution. SCISAT data helps develop international environmental policies to protect the ozone layer, such as the Montreal Protocol, which bans certain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
MOPITT on Terra
The MOPITT instrument scans Earth’s atmosphere to gather data on carbon monoxide concentrations.
This data assesses the impact of specific anti-pollution initiatives, such as vehicle emission reduction standards in various parts of the world. The data also helps understand the impact of other human activities, like biomass combustion.
Protecting Our Ecosystems
Forests cover almost half of Canada’s land mass.
The planet’s ecosystems are essential to life and fulfill many basic needs. Satellites help us monitor changes affecting ecosystems and better protect them.
RADARSAT Satellites
The RADARSAT-2 radar effectively monitors forests, determines changes in forest structure and composition, and observes fire-devastated areas.
RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) satellites transmit vitally important data that improves biodiversity preservation and forest management practices. Data from these satellites shows clear-cut areas in boreal and tropical forests and their environmental impacts, as well as the success of reforestation activities.
SMOS
SMOS can measure soil moisture and sea surface salinity on a global scale.
These measurements help us better understand the water cycle, map snow- and ice-covered areas, and monitor the overall impact of climate change on ice.
Responding to Natural Disasters
Because of climate change, natural disasters like droughts, floods, cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and severe. Often, they threaten the safety of entire cities.
To better coordinate emergency response activities during disasters, authorities worldwide often turn to satellites. The 17 member organizations, including Canada, a founding member of the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters,” work together and promptly share their satellite data to assist people and protect infrastructure.
Emergency response teams on the ground use valuable data provided by RADARSAT-2 and the RCM to make informed decisions and effectively plan their response to disasters. For example, RADARSAT satellites can help monitor hurricanes and assess the extent of flooding, thanks to their radar systems, which can scan the Earth at all times, day or night, in any weather conditions.
