How we're Harnessing Space Technologies for Earth’s Sustainability

Published - June 2024

The Role of Space in Earth Sustainability

Space technologies have become essential tools in our quest for a sustainable future on Earth. By providing unparalleled data and insights, these technologies help us monitor climate change, manage disasters, and optimise resource use. This blog explores the current space technologies in use, highlights companies doing innovative work in climate monitoring, and discusses how space technology is aiding in disaster management.

Current Space Technologies

In this context, I am defining space technology as the range of tools and systems we currently use to observe and understand our planet from above. These include satellites equipped with various sensors and imaging devices, as well as the software and algorithms used to process and analyse the collected data. Key technologies include:

Earth Observation (EO) Satellites: These satellites capture high-resolution images of Earth’s surface, helping track changes in land use, vegetation, water bodies, and urban areas.
Remote Sensing: This technology uses satellite data to measure environmental variables such as soil moisture, atmospheric gases, and ocean salinity. Check out Scottish-based company, Krucial
Satellite Constellations: Networks of satellites work together to provide comprehensive and continuous coverage of the Earth, enabling real-time monitoring and data collection.

Climate Monitoring with Space Technology
Climate monitoring is a critical application of space technology, providing the data needed to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Several leading companies are making significant strides in this area:

Climate TRACE: In partnership with Planet, Climate TRACE uses satellite imagery and advanced technologies to monitor global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Their platform aggregates billions of data points from over 352 million assets, providing unprecedented detail and speed in emissions tracking. This transparency helps identify the sources of emissions and supports efforts to reduce them. Check out their emissions map here.
GHGSat: This company operates a constellation of 12 satellites dedicated to monitoring GHG emissions. By using high-resolution sensors, GHGSat provides precise measurements of emissions from industrial sites, helping companies and governments take targeted action to reduce their carbon footprint.
dClimate: dClimate is a decentralised marketplace for climate data, making previously costly and unattainable data sets accessible. They provide data collectors and aggregators a way to monetize their data, harnessing the power of comprehensive climate data and robust infrastructure to create transformative solutions for a sustainable future. dClimate empowers businesses, governments, and innovators to measure, monitor, and mitigate climate risk, using open data tools and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.

Space Technology for Disaster Management

Space technology is also crucial in managing and responding to natural disasters. Satellites provide timely data that can be used to predict, monitor, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Companies at the forefront of this field include:

Arbol: This weather insurance marketplace uses satellite data to offer parametric insurance solutions. By providing rapid payouts based on predefined weather events, Arbol helps businesses and farmers recover quickly from climate-related losses.
Regrow: Regrow uses satellite data and AI to manage farmland more effectively. By detecting crop damage early and providing insights on soil health and crop conditions, Regrow helps farmers optimise their practices and reduce the need for harmful pesticides.
Planet: With a large fleet of EO satellites, Planet provides high-frequency, high-resolution imagery that supports disaster response efforts. Their data helps emergency responders assess damage, plan relief efforts, and monitor recovery progress.

Conclusion

Space technology is revolutionising our approach to Earth’s sustainability challenges. From climate monitoring to disaster management, these advanced tools and systems provide critical data and insights that help us protect and preserve our planet. As we continue to innovate and expand our use of space technology, we move closer to a sustainable and resilient future for all.

For further insights and detailed projects, explore the links provided and reach out to me for more information on how space technologies can support your sustainability efforts.