Due to greenhouse gas emissions, the earth is warming. The average temperature increase rose above 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time in 2024. This means the Earth’s climate is changing, affecting humans and ecosystems around the world. Climate warming is accompanied by increasing weather extremes such as heat waves and extreme rainfall. It also increases the likelihood of natural disasters such as floods or forest fires.
Satellite data provides a global picture of the earth and atmosphere and can thus help map these impacts. We use this information to adapt or increase our resilience.
Carbon monoxide from fires
Natural fires are increasingly common and often more intense around the world. An extreme example is the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, where millions of hectares went up in flames. Heat waves and drought create ideal conditions in which fire spreads at lightning speed. Fires in boreal forests in 2021 were also exceptionally large as both North American and Eurasian forests experienced massive water shortages at the same time.
Such fires release large amounts of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that negatively affects air quality. Satellite measurements make it possible to monitor these emissions and better understand how smoke and pollutants spread through the atmosphere. This not only helps in predicting the impact on air quality, but also in estimating the effects on climate, as forest fires emit large amounts of greenhouse gases such as CO2 in addition to carbon monoxide.
Stof door verwoestijning
Verwoestijning is de aantasting van land in droge gebieden door menselijke activiteiten en klimaatverandering. Bijna de helft van het aardoppervlak bestaat uit droge gebieden, waar 3 miljard mensen wonen. Voor het leven op aarde heeft verwoestijning grote gevolgen zoals uitputting van grondwater, afname van biodiversiteit, en toename van stof- en zandstormen. Deze stormen hebben een negatief effect op de luchtkwaliteit en verstoren de zonne- en windenergie-infrastructuur. Ook beïnvloeden deze stofstormen het klimaat omdat stofdeeltjes zonlicht reflecteren en warmtestraling van de aarde absorberen. De risico’s van woestijnvorming nemen toe bij verdere opwarming, vooral in Zuid- en Centraal-Azië, West-Afrika en Oost-Azië, maar ook in Europa. Met de nieuwste satellietinstrumenten (PACE/SPEXone, Eartcare/ATLID) kunnen we de hoeveelheidwoestijnstof in de lucht meten. Deze satellietmetingen helpen bij het in kaart brengen van de effecten van verwoestijning op klimaat en luchtkwaliteit.
Methane from swamps
Swamps are the largest natural source of methane, accounting for a third of methane emissions worldwide. In a warmer climate, methane emissions from these natural sources are expected to increase (further). Satellite measurements of methane in the atmosphere, as well as of soil moisture and flooded areas, can be used to get a better picture about methane emissions from wetlands.
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Read moreOtto P Hasekamp
