CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites)’s Post

You may be aware that our oceans are changing rapidly due to rising temperatures. Did you know this also leads to an increase in the absorption of carbon dioxide by the sea, resulting in a dangerous drop in seawater pH? Scientists are using satellite observations to better understand these phenomena, such as the exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and the ocean. Recent research emphasises the potential of satellite data in advancing our knowledge of ocean health and carbon dynamics. Funded research initiatives, such as those by ESA’s Earth Observation Science for Society activities, have made substantial contributions to ocean science over the past 16 years. Explore the new 'ocean pH stripes' visualisation from an ESA project here, illustrating ocean acidification trends over 40 years. This visualisation was featured at COP28 to highlight the ocean's plight amidst rising greenhouse gas emissions. https://lnkd.in/dfMTJzBw #SatelliteObservations #OceanHealth #CarbonDynamics #ESA #ClimateChange

‘Solar Radiation Modification’ A method deliberated upon by US based scientists and supported by US government talks about reflecting solar radiation over the oceans in order to reduce planet’s temperature and reverse climate change due to soaring temperature. It talks about creating a cloud mist by stratospheric aerosol injection through aeroplanes which successfully reflects back the solar rays back to space . Although there is significant reluctance among the global scientific community about the process due to its unknown effect on land , ecology and ecosystems which are all dependent upon solar radiance for survival. There is a need for further simulations and climate modelling studies to understand the effects of such endeavours on land, water food and health of the planet and its inhabitants. What do you think about it?? Prarthana Borah Himanshu Shekhar Momentum #SolarRadiationModification#SRM#Momentum

Congratulations to Xinyue Wang, postdoctoral researcher at Climaviation, and her colleagues for the publication of her paper entitled “Radiative Effect of Two Contrail Cirrus Outbreaks Over Western Europe Estimated Using Geostationary Satellite Observations and Radiative Transfer Calculations”. Contrails are formed in the atmosphere by aircraft engine exhaust. Depending on the temperature and the humidity of the atmosphere, some contrails can persist and remain for several hours disturbing the Earth's radiative budget. The latest studies have reported the overall impact of contrails to be warming but with uncertainties, especially when we focus on contrail outbreaks, which is the main contributor to contrail induced radiative effects, their forcing exhibits variations in sign and magnitude and needs to be accurately quantified. Xinyue Wang and her colleagues combined satellite data, weather data and air traffic data to detect two contrail cirrus outbreaks over Western Europe in clear sky conditions. Infrared images were used to identify and track contrails with a 15 min frequency. Then, cloud properties, which are retrieved from geostationary satellite observations, are used with a radiative transfer code to calculate the radiative forcing of these contrail-cirrus outbreaks. In this particular case, we can see that contrail cirrus show various signs of radiative forcing, resulting in alternative cooling and warming effects. During daylight hours, the cooling effect prevails, but there are also moments that longwave warming dominates especially over land surface. The absolute value of the radiative forcing in W/m2 is also very high. For comparison, the forcing of the CO2 since 1750 calculated by the IPCC is 1,5 W/m2, which is 10 to 15 times less than the maximum instantaneous radiative forcing that a contrail can have. The difference is the timescale: contrails have a very strong impact for a few hours, whereas CO2 remains in the atmosphere for centuries. To lower the climate impact of aviation, contrail avoidance strategies such as aircraft rerouting are being investigated. The method used in this study, to quantify the hourly radiative impact forcing of contrail outbreaks, could be applied for verifying the climate benefits of these strategies. For more information, the article is available in the link below.

Teledyne e2v Space Imaging has officially joined the UK-led climate change TRUTHS mission in a signing ceremony at COP 28. As part of The European Space Agency’s Earth Watch programme, the TRUTHS consortium aims to establish a space-based climate and calibration observatory. This observatory will not only enhance confidence in climate change forecasts but also support net zero mitigation strategies and their impact. The primary objective of the TRUTHS mission is to collect precise measurements of energy from the Sun entering the Earth's atmosphere, as well as the light reflected off the Earth's surface. These measurements will contribute to a better understanding of global warming and the impact of human activities on the planet. #electricalengineering #electronics #embedded #embeddedsystems #electrical

📑 This is a great article by The New York Times on the planetary sunshade concept. It also features the Planetary Sunshade Foundation, which aims to develop and advance the concept of space-based solar radiation management. ⬇ 💡 A temporary use of a planetary sunshade, in a world where we would focus on emission reduction and carbon dioxide removal, could prevent climate tipping points from being reached until we have (finally) moved to a sustainable, net-zero world. #PlanetarySunshade #SpaceBasedGeoengineering #ClimateChangeMitigation #Climatechange #Climateaction #SunshadesinSpace #Emissions #EmissionsReduction #Netzero #SolarRadiationManagement #CarbonDioxideRemoval

The influence of carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases on the radiative forcing of the global climate - understanding the greenhouse effect! When consuling the IPCC report from 1990 and the chapter that explains the understanding of the radiative forcing from greenhous gases my expectation were not fulfilled. These 1990 presented values are until today used in global climate simulations. The linked article gives a Comprehensive Approach on a Molecular Basis. And additionally it is clear and educational. It explains the effect of partially overlapping spectra between water vapour and CO2. Using the average global atmosphere (AGA) and actual GPS measurements for water vapour concentration, the radiative forcing at doubled CO2 concentration is found to be 30% smaller than the IPCC-value. ("Concerning the IPPC-value most of the spectroscopic computations in the literature are based on the US Standard 1976 Atmosphere.") As the global climate simulations (based on the higher value) are estimated to be in good agreement with observations, this discrepancy gives hint on for the time beeing hidden additional effects. One effect may be the underestimated role of contrail induced cirrus cloud cover, another may be methane released in Natural gas extraction, transportation and leakages.

Mapping Methane Emissions Across the US: A Visual Story from NASA ? Methane, the sneaky culprit behind climate change , is the second-most impactful greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (yikes!). But where exactly are these human-caused methane emissions coming from in the US? Lights, Camera, Methane! NASA's amazing Scientific Visualization Studio has created a video that maps these emissions across the US in 2012, aligning with data from the US Environmental Protection Agency What you'll see: This incredible visualization helps us understand the sources and distribution of methane emissions . From agriculture and waste facilities to the fossil fuel industry, the video sheds light on where we need to focus our efforts for reduction. Knowledge is Power! By understanding these emission patterns, we can develop targeted strategies to curb methane and mitigate its impact on climate change Let's work together for a cleaner, greener future! #ClimateChange #MethaneEmissions #NASAClimateChange #Science #Sustainability #ActOnClimate

Mapping Methane Emissions Across the US: A Visual Story from NASA ? Methane, the sneaky culprit behind climate change , is the second-most impactful greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (yikes!). But where exactly are these human-caused methane emissions coming from in the US? Lights, Camera, Methane! NASA's amazing Scientific Visualization Studio has created a video that maps these emissions across the US in 2012, aligning with data from the US Environmental Protection Agency What you'll see: This incredible visualization helps us understand the sources and distribution of methane emissions . From agriculture and waste facilities to the fossil fuel industry, the video sheds light on where we need to focus our efforts for reduction. Knowledge is Power! By understanding these emission patterns, we can develop targeted strategies to curb methane and mitigate its impact on climate change Let's work together for a cleaner, greener future! #ClimateChange #MethaneEmissions #NASAClimateChange #Science #Sustainability #ActOnClimate

A recent study provides new insights into the planetary boundary layer’s role in air quality and climate. By analyzing thermal contrasts via satellite data, researchers have detailed how temperature variations affect the detection of pollutants, enhancing satellite monitoring capabilities and improving climate models. This breakthrough promises to aid environmental policies and air quality management. The endeavor to keep tabs on and curb air pollution has been stymied by the enigmatic nature of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). This atmospheric strip, in constant caresses with the Earth’s surface, is a hotbed for pollutants. Yet, its mercurial dance through time and across geographies presents a formidable scientific puzzle. Given these hurdles, an in-depth dissection of the thermal contrast (TC) that delineates this layer is imperative. This groundbreaking research takes the pulse of the global TC under clear skies, revealing its daily ebb and flow, as well as its seasonal metamorphosis. #climatechange #airquality #earth #boundary #mystery #illumination https://lnkd.in/gXG5VyAJ

🌥️ Cumulus clouds over land start to disappear almost instantly during a partial solar eclipse. 🛰️ Until recently, satellite measurements during the eclipse resulted in dark spots in the cloud map, but researchers from TU Delft and KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut were able to recover the satellite measurements by using a new method. In the recovered cloud maps from three solar eclipses over Africa, they saw that cumulus clouds started to disappear on a large scale starting from just 15% solar obscuration.   "This could be a warning for climate engineering. If we eclipse the sun in the future with technological solutions, it may affect the clouds”, says Victor Trees. Disappearing clouds can partly oppose the cooling effect of artificial solar eclipses.  The results were published today in #Nature Communications Earth and Environment.   Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewafaG5S   #Science #Climate #Research Victor Trees, Stephan de Roode, Job Wiltink, Jan Fokke Meirink, Ping Wang, Piet Stammes, Pier Siebesma