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Companies, governments, investors, and communities are working together to transition to a more sustainable future. To do this, we must identify the root causes of the planet’s problems. Some buildings may emit heat more efficiently than others, and methane emissions could be related to a particular industrial activity. Space-based technology allows us to see the whole planet from a large scale, so we can determine how to fix the global warming problems.
Image Credit: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com
Research has shown that there is little chance of reversing global warming as the planet heats. We can still do our best to limit climate change so that we reach the global net-zero goal by 2050. When we think about efforts to reduce climate change, we often picture wind turbines, solar cells, hydrogen, and electric vehicles. Space technology is a less-known, but equally important part of the fight against climate changes.
Measurement of the Thermal Footprint for Buildings
Earth observation company SatelliteVu provides the world’s first satellite constellations that measure the thermal footprint of any building on Earth in near real-time every hour or two.
This information is crucial for the improvement of the energy efficiency worldwide infrastructures like factories and power stations. These insights also reveal information about energy efficiency and economic activity.
The sensors are unique in that they detect both the temperature of the Earth’s surface and heat emitted by buildings. This provides information to business leaders and local authorities about energy loss hotspots found in buildings or waterways.
Due to rising water temperatures, thermal water pollution can reduce water quality. SatelliteVu’s new thermal imaging satellites will offer a higher resolution and more detail than the previous thermal space imaging satellites.
SatelliteVu recently announced it would make its carbon emissions data public in an effort to raise awareness about sustainability in business. According to the company:
The COP26 summit, held at the end 2021, reaffirmed the call for governments to act against climate change. Initially formulated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC), the global goal was established. ReportThe goal is to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2030 and to reduce them by 90% by 2050. Satellite Vu will be the first major space company to publicly share data on carbon emissions in order to achieve these goals.
Satellite Management of Methane
Over 25% of global temperature rise is due to methane emissions from fossil fuels. Methane emissions are often a result of the production fossil fuels like oil and gas, large-scale livestock farming, and large-scale livestock breeding.
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), has created a compact satellite called MethaneSat that monitors methane levels on the planet. It is more accurate than any other satellite. This satellite will be used to monitor the activity within the oil and natural gas industry and determine where the highest methane emissions are coming from.
Another great source for analytical insights is Sylvera, the world’s first carbon offset rating provider. The company uses machine learning and satellite data for support in the carbon offset industry. These services are valuable to investors as companies face stricter carbon credit standards and work towards a carbon neutral status.
Many forms of space tech fight climate change
Apart from these exciting industrial developments, space-based technologies continue to support the fight for climate change in many other areas.
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), satellite technology is reducing carbon dioxide emissions in vehicles. Remote sensing systems support wind turbines to become more effective, which means that more homes can rely more on wind power for their electricity.
Data from weather satellites is also used to support solar cells that generate more energy. One example is the French company. LeosphereThis has resulted in a small piece that measures the wind speed and direction from the ground.
Flyby, Italy-based, predicted that photovoltaic power plants would produce more power. They also identified operational faults in photovoltaic plants. These faults can reduce energy production by more than 10% per year.
GreenDrive, a new type of satnav system, was developed by Alex Ackerman, Yossef Shiri, and uses information about the car’s make, location, and road conditions to determine how to drive, what speed to apply, and which route to take. This encourages economic driving and can save up to 25% on fuel.
Not only can we take action to combat climate change here on the Earth, but we can also make leaps forward in space with satellite and remote sensing technology. This allows us to monitor the planet’s progress and to mitigate any potential problems. This is demonstrated by the innovations of companies that are supporting a worldwide net zero transition.
Refer to these References and Other Reading
This space technology can reduce climate pollution on Earth [Online]. Environmental Defense Fund. Available at: https://www.edf.org/climate/space-technology-can-cut-climate-pollution-earth
Sylvera – homepage [Online]. Available at: https://www.sylvera.com/
SatelliteVu – homepage [Online]. Available at: https://www.satellitevu.com/
Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5C [Online]. IPCC. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/
Space technology helps to mitigate climate change [Online]. European Space Agency. Available at: https://www.esa.int/Applications/Technology_Transfer/Space_technology_helps_mitigate_climate_change
