7 ways Satellites Help Fight Climate Change

Here is a riddle for you. What is orbiting hundreds of kilometres overhead that is helping us fight climate change? The answer is satellites! Satellites help us understand how Earth’s atmosphere is changing. They also help us to understand how climate change is leading to floods, droughts, wildfires, melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels.

So what are satellites? Satellites are objects that orbit a planet or star. Earth is a natural satellite to the Sun and the Moon is a satellite to Earth! We also make our own satellites and send them up to space to do a variety of things. Canada has a long history as a global leader in satellites that observe Earth. Here are seven ways this space technology is making a difference in climate action.

Home, sweet, home: Protecting Forests and Ecosystems

The ecosystems on Earth are essential to life: they support many of our basic needs like producing oxygen for us to breathe. But ecosystems and their biodiversity are at risk. This is where satellites come in.

Since 1995, RADARSAT satellites keep an eye on the health of ecosystems by mapping and tracking changes. Beyond their main mission, RADARSAT collects data about changes in forests, tundra, wetlands, coastlines and other protected areas.

Equipped with technology never before used in space, the SMOS satellite maps changes in soil moisture and the salinitysalinity of the sea surface. This information helps us understand how climate change affects the water cyclewater cycle.

In 2022, the international satellite, SWOT, will launch. The Canadian instruments on SWOT will help collect precise data about changes in lake and reservoir levels, the discharge of rivers, and the currents in oceans.

Tracking Changes in Ice and Permafrost Conditions

Snow and ice are important, there is no doubt about it. The snowy peaks and ice floes in the Arctic act as air conditioners for our planet. Not to mention that there is incredible biodiversity in these icy landscapes. Sadly these landscapes and ecosystems are not safe from climate change.

Satellites help track changes to ice and permafrost. This helps scientists better understand climate change. Canadian RADARSAT satellites have been monitoring ice around the world since 1995. The European SMOS satellite was also given a side mission. It will now map snowy and icy areas, and track the impact of climate change on ice.

Image-Text Version

Shown is satellite imagery of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission. The top left corner is white ice and snow. Towards the top left corner, this white ice fades into a green and brown landmass. The landmass continues towards the bottom of the image, getting greener towards the bottom. Dark inlets of water poke into the landmass. The bottom of the image is a swirl of white clouds.

 

Getting to the Root of it: Checking Soil Moisture Globally

Scientists believe that soil moisture is half the equation to understanding how climate change affects the water cycle. The other half? Ocean salinity! Not only does SMOS look at ocean salinity, it also looks at soil moisture around the world. It is the first satellite to map both ocean salinity and soil moisture. SMOS is not alone though. The satellite SMAP maps soil moisture too. It also checks on the freezing and thawing of soil in Canadian boreal regions and other cold areas of the world.

Protecting Earth’s Blanket, the Ozone Layer

The ozone layerozone layer is a blanket of gases that protects us from harmful solar UV rays. This blanket was thinning for many decades because of the release of gases like CFCsCFCs. Many of these same gases are also powerful greenhouse gases. Thanks to governments all over the world who agreed to stop production of ozone depleting gases, the ozone layer has started to recover.

Satellites have an important job in monitoring the ozone layer. In fact, Canada is a world leader in studying ozone and greenhouse gases from space. Launched over 18 years ago, Canada’s SCISAT satellite measures ozone and ozone-destroying substances in the Earth’s atmosphere. Out of all the satellites, it actually measures the largest number of trace gases in the world! The Canadian instrument OSIRIS on Sweden’s Odin satellite also measures the ozone layer. They both help us understand how the ozone layer is recovering.

Head in the Clouds: Monitoring Air Quality, Pollution and Clouds

 A breath of fresh air may not be as fresh as it seems. Pollution isn't just limited to the air. Soil, water and more can also suffer from pollution. Energy generation, transportation, manufacturing and waste can all be sources of pollution.

Satellites can look at the sources and movement of pollution, as well as check air quality. The Canadian instrument MOPITT on NASA’s Terra satellite gathers long-term data on carbon monoxide, a major air pollutant from incomplete combustion.

It turns out clouds may affect our climate more than we thought. While other satellites struggle to see through clouds, the CloudSat satellite helps scientists to see clouds in 3D. CloudSat helps us understand how clouds are layered, how dense clouds are, and if they are precipitating (rain or snow). We can also learn how aerosolsaerosols in the atmosphere influence how clouds absorb and reflect light. But that’s not all. SCISAT can measure up to 40 different atmospheric gases. These measurements will help scientists better understand the ozone layer, climate change, air quality, carbon in the atmosphere and pollution.

Our Climate Action Report Card

Receiving report cards can be nail biting and scary. But knowing how well we are doing is important. The United Nations’ environmental and climate change reports are one way of figuring out how we are doing.

For example, MOPITT helps us see the effect of anti-pollution initiatives such as reducing vehicle emissions. RADARSAT satellites are useful for tracking severe floods and mapping oil pollution in the ocean. With SCISAT’s data, we now know that the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which bans substances that harm the ozone layer, is a success. The ozone layer was thinning more slowly between 1995 and 2000. Now it is showing signs of recovery.

New satellites are now beginning to measure greenhouse gases. These measurements are important for us to monitor how well countries all over the world are doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the effort to stop climate change.

What Do We Do Next?

So how will experts know what to study next? Well, they need to think like they’re playing a board game. Why? Board games are all about strategy. You plan your next move based on previous moves and new information. Satellites do the same! They give scientists data that helps us discuss our next moves. Strategic thinking means that climate action plans can include solutions that are more effective. For example, SCISAT and OSIRIS data plays a key role in some international programs and organizations, such as the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, World Meteorological Organization. SMAP data helps with predicting climate change trends so we can adapt. With RADARSAT data, we can improve how we preserve biodiversity and manage forests.

Tackling climate change involves understanding its impacts and adapting to it. This means continuous, up-to-date information on all parts of the Earth. It also means improving the environmental prediction models that help us to forecast weather and project climate changes. Anticipating what will happen is key for making good decisions. And space offers a unique perspective of Earth. Keep an eye out for more Canadian satellites, instruments and science joining the movement!

Let’s Talk Science appreciates the work and contributions of the Canadian Space Agency in the development of this Backgrounder.

About the Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is responsible for advancing the knowledge of space through science and using its discoveries for the good of Canadians and all of humanity. The CSA focuses its activities and resources on three main areas:

• Space exploration: Participation in astronaut missions, astronomy and planetary studies, scientific research in space.
• Space utilization: Monitoring of our planet and signs of climate change from space.
• Space science and technology: Development of innovative space technologies and applications used on Earth.