NASA to Launch New Missions Focused on Combating Climate Change
At the same time, it will provide crucial information as people are affected by the impacts of this situation.
Previously, the Biden administration announced support for the development of the “Earth System Observatory” by NASA. A wealth of data will be utilized to better monitor climate change, as well as its effects on communities around the globe.
New system helps NASA study various aspects of Earth.
“Over the past three decades, much of what we know about Earth’s climate change has been built on NASA’s satellite research and observations,” said Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, in a statement.
According to Nelson, NASA’s new Earth System Observatory will expand that work, providing the world with unprecedented insights into Earth’s climate. At the same time, it will offer vital data to mitigate climate change and protect people from natural disasters.
With the Earth System Observatory, NASA aims to study various aspects of Earth, including how aerosols affect global energy balance, clouds, convection, and precipitation, hoping to improve predictions of extreme weather and air quality.
Additionally, it will research water levels and assess drought situations to support water usage planning and disaster response. The biology and geology on the Earth’s surface will also be examined to see how climate change impacts food, agriculture, water, and energy.
The observatory will also look at significant surface changes on the planet caused by climate change disasters.
“As the number of extreme weather events increases due to climate change, the ability to forecast and monitor natural disasters is essential for national preparedness, mitigation, and resilience,” a White House statement noted.
This is not the first time the Biden administration and NASA have collaborated to address climate change issues. In March, NASA joined the White House’s National Climate Task Force, which was established to “combat the climate crisis.”
“With our unique ability to observe the planet from space and the long-term data records we can collect, NASA is in a crucial position to inform policy decisions and beyond,” said Gavin Schmidt, Climate Advisor and Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York.
