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Meteorological and Remote-Sensing Satellites in Monitoring Climate Change

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Meteorological Satellite Systems

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Space Development ((BRIEFSSPACE))

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Abstract

With the continued evolution of satellite instruments and technology, meteorological satellites enable scientists to track long-term and short-term variability in climate. Such observations contribute to our understanding of climate change and its impacts. This is necessary for governments and decision-makers to define and implement appropriate mitigation and adaptation policies, and to provide new environmental services. Accurate long-term climate monitoring and predictions start from the best possible knowledge of the state of Earth’s various systems, including oceans, land, atmosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere. Satellite spacecraft and instruments enable continuous observation of solar activity, sea level rise, the temperature of the atmosphere and oceans, the state of the ozone layer, air pollution, and changes in sea ice and land ice. ‘National needs’ for weather forecasts and climate monitoring are turning into global needs that transcend political boundaries. Space instruments also allow the monitoring and gathering of data on space weather and solar activity that can greatly impact life on our planet.

“Global observations coordinated by WMO show that levels of carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere continue to increase steadily and show no signs of leveling off.”

—Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the WMO

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  1. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Mgt, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Su-Yin Tan

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Tan, SY. (2014). Meteorological and Remote-Sensing Satellites in Monitoring Climate Change. In: Meteorological Satellite Systems. SpringerBriefs in Space Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9420-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9420-1_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9419-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9420-1

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