NASA, EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY TAKING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The arguments about climate change, and whether or not it is the most urgent issue of our time, will probably never really be settled. While we are arguing about it down here... there is somebody “up-there” approaching the issue from above.  

According to NASA’s weekly ‘Explore’ newsletter, recognizing that climate change is an urgent global challenge, the space agency has formed a strategic partnership with the European Space Agency, or ESA, so that it can observe Earth and its changing environment. The agency says that together, NASA and the ESA are leading and supporting a global response, with combined efforts in Earth science. 

The partnership between the two agencies was formalized through a joint statement of intent, which was recently signed. The statement outlines how the agencies will collaborate to ensure continuity of Earth observations; advancing the understanding of the Earth System, climate change, and application of that knowledge; and collaboration on an open data policy that promotes open sharing of data, information, and knowledge within the scientific community and the wider public. 

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Climate change is an all-hands-on-deck, global challenge that requires action now... NASA and ESA are leading the way in space, building an unprecedented strategic partnership in Earth science. ~ NASA Administrator Bill Nelson 

 

NASA says that climate adaptation and mitigation efforts will not be able to succeed without climate observations and research. To that end, the agency has more than two dozen satellites and instruments observing how the Earth is changing and measuring key climate indicators, such as the height of oceans and inland waters, clouds and precipitation, and carbon dioxide.