WGIC Discusses Monitoring GHG From Space Using Commercial Capabilities
Efforts from Public, Private and Hybrid Missions are Key
At GeoIgnite, Winter Geo conference, attendees were able to view a livestream presentation on March 1, 2022, by Barbara Ryan, Executive Director of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC).
Ryan spoke about the importance of monitoring the global greenhouse gasses (GHG) from space using commercial capabilities. She highlighted the recent joint report of the first systematic mapping of global greenhouse gasses from space. The report by Climate Trace, WGIC, and Group on Earth Observations (GEO), illustrated the existing and planned monitoring of GHG from space using public, private, and hybrid missions. There have been 33 missions, 21 public, seven private, and five hybrid.
Barbara Ryan, Executive Director of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC).
The report used the greenhouse gasses that are measurable in space. There are three specific GHG that are driving climate change. There is Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Methane (CH4).
Ryan had several important points throughout the talk. No individual country, organization, or sector can address climate change on their own. The effort must be global and coordinated to mitigate the effects. Over the past decade, there have been enormous strides by public sector space agencies in observing GHGs from space. There are additional observational capabilities from the private sector helping to create hybrid missions from philanthropies and public-private partnerships. These need to be endorsed, expanded and communicated to move forward.
Ryan said the WGIC has adopted climate as an ‘overarching target’ and has three working groups. The groups are disaster resilience, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure. New members to the WGIC are always welcome.
A deep, heartfelt thank you to the World Geospatial Industry Council, which was a Silver Sponsor for the GeoIgnite, Winter Geo conference.
An interesting Q and A session followed the Winter Geo Conference livestream. You can watch this entire talk on Youtube below.
