Can environmental monitoring satellites revolutionise climate action ?
MEASUREMENT & MONITORING
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SATELLITES
EMS
Can environmental monitoring satellites revolutionise climate action ?
Here ’ s how advanced motor technology is helping to power the fight
In February 2024 , global temperatures surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time on record . With climate scientists warning our window to act is “ rapidly shrinking ”, pressure is mounting on governments world-wide to find new cutting-edge solutions to mitigate climate change . Here , Dave Walsha , Director of Sales and Marketing at drive system supplier Electro Mechanical Systems ( EMS ), explains how environmental monitoring satellites could be just that solution .
From 11 to 22 November 2024 , world leaders and organisations met in Baku , Azerbaijan , for the 29 th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change — or COP29 .
Two interlinked pillars upheld this year ’ s conference : to enhance ambition and to enable action through increasing investment in climate action projects . Through this framework , the conference aims to achieve rapid and sustained emissions reduction , lowering global temperatures .
In contrast , last year ’ s COP28 focused on “ transforming our current course ” through supercharged solutions . In this vein , much attention was paid to the growing potential of environmental monitoring satellites to transform our knowledge of and approach to mitigating and monitoring the effects of climate change .
During the conference , NASA , the European Space Agency , the UAE ’ s satellite solutions provider , Yahsat , and Space4Climate , in partnership with the UK Space Agency , all provided evidence of the benefit of environmental monitoring satellites for guiding nations ’ emission reduction strategies .
Following the progress made at COP28 and in line with COP29 ’ s focus of enabling ambition , environmental monitoring satellites took a more central role during the annual COP session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice ( SBSTA 61 ).
The future of climate data collection Satellites use remote sensing to capture data samples emitted through electromagnetic radiation and reflected from the Earth ’ s environments , providing precise , timely data and high-resolution imagery , that can be used to support proactive climate action .
Over 50 per cent of climate variables can be measured from space . Sensors , such as Active Synthetic Aperture Radar ( SAR ) and Hyperspectral , can collect optical data through thick clouds and acquire imagery in hundreds of spectral bands . The Radio Frequency satellite sensors can even identify illegal activities such as unauthorised deforestation or mining while providing key atmospheric data .
However , this technology faces technical hurdles , specifically in terms of component durability , longevity , and energy usage .
Enduring space Motors are an essential component of a satellite : controlling its position and orientation , deploying its solar panels and antennas , and stabilising its cameras for imaging and sensor readings .
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