International protocols

Space agencies involved in climate observation

Preservation of remote sensing data obtained from Space for long periods of time is not guaranteed.For this reason, a formal dialogue has been initiated between the entities defining the needs for climate observation and space agencies (ESA, NASA, etc.), in order to define a coherent set of specifications agreed upon by all.

Established in 1992, the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) has become the recognised mechanism to facilitate these commitments.

The GCOS has published two reports on the global climate observing system. In its second report in 2003, it established a list of Essential Climate Variables (ECV), where observation was recognized as a priority.

To answer to these needs, the European Space Agency (ESA) has started a new programme, the «Monitoring of Essential Climate Variables», known as «Climate Change Initiative» or CCI, whose ambition is to bring new satellite datasets.

Read complete article ESA starts the «Climate Change Initiative»

 

BIRA-IASB monitors effect of Montreal Protocol

The stratospheric ozone layer protects the Earth’s biosphere from a large part of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun. Appearing in the beginning of he 1980s, two spectacular phenomena demonstrated that certain human activities threatened this natural protection against ultraviolet rays:

1. the destruction of almost all of the ozone in the lower Antarctic stratosphere each spring
2. the destruction of 3% each decade of the ozone layer at our latitudes

In September 1987, the Montreal Protocol was established in reaction to these alarming discoveries.

Read complete article BIRA-IASB monitors effect of Montreal Protocol