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Liebig 2/6/07 11:09 AM Page 8 The Changing Earth Changing Earth Volker Liebig, Einar-Arne Herland & Stephen Briggs Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes Hartmut Grassl Chairman of the Earth Science Advisory Committee lobal change is the most fundamental challenge facing humanity today. As we Gbegin to understand more about the Earth as a system, it is clear that human activity is having a profound and negative impact on our environment. For example, our understanding of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas and the strong link between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature both point to human activity leading to a warmer world, unlike anything seen over the last million years. A better knowledge of the Earth System and of the effect of increasing human activity is crucially important for managing our environ- ment and our ability to derive sustainable benefit. Introduction Since observing the Earth from space New Scientific became possible more than 40 years ago, satellite missions have become central to monitoring and learning about how the Challenges for ESA’s Earth works. When ESA established its Living Planet Programme in the mid- 1990s, a new approach to satellite Living Planet observations for Earth science began, with focused missions defined, developed and operated in close Programme cooperation with the scientific commun- esa bulletin 129 - february 2007 9 Liebig 2/6/07 11:09 AM Page 8 The Changing Earth Changing Earth Volker Liebig, Einar-Arne Herland & Stephen Briggs Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes Hartmut Grassl Chairman of the Earth Science Advisory Committee lobal change is the most fundamental challenge facing humanity today. As we Gbegin to understand more about the Earth as a system, it is clear that human activity is having a profound and negative impact on our environment. For example, our understanding of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas and the strong link between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature both point to human activity leading to a warmer world, unlike anything seen over the last million years. A better knowledge of the Earth System and of the effect of increasing human activity is crucially important for managing our environ- ment and our ability to derive sustainable benefit. Introduction Since observing the Earth from space New Scientific became possible more than 40 years ago, satellite missions have become central to monitoring and learning about how the Challenges for ESA’s Earth works. When ESA established its Living Planet Programme in the mid- 1990s, a new approach to satellite Living Planet observations for Earth science began, with focused missions defined, developed and operated in close Programme cooperation with the scientific commun- esa bulletin 129 - february 2007 9 Liebig 2/6/07 11:09 AM Page 10 Earth Observation Changing Earth emphasised the need for an updated science strategy. The recent Stern report ( http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ independent_reviews/stern_review_economics _climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm) assesses the impact of climate change on the global economy and concludes that while ‘business as usual’ might have very high costs, preventive measures implemented from today would have a relatively minor impact on the economy. Another recent study, on the socio- economic benefits of GMES, performed by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, concluded that the benefits of GMES are potentially very large, but they require political will in order to be efficiently implemented. The updating of the strategy was The strategy report is available as ESA publication SP-1304 In 2005 a committee of six external scientists and six Earth recently undertaken under the guidance Science Advisory Committee members undertook a thorough of the Agency’s Earth Science Advisory ity. A comprehensive strategy was review of the scientific value of ESA’s Earth Observation Envelope Committee and in wide consultation Selected aspects of global change (atmospheric composition, land cover, temperature, biodiversity, nitrogen fixation and human population) based on information compiled by the International Geosphere- Programme. The review report was overall extremely positive in Biosphere Programme formulated for implementing the evaluating the science output of the Programme and contained with the scientific community. Programme, which has resulted in the 11 recommendations to the Agency. These are all being Looking to the future, the new selection of six Earth Explorer missions implemented strategy aims to assess the most user communities, in close cooperation The Challenges of a Changing World of habitat, forest degradation and loss covering a broad range of science issues. important Earth science questions to be with our international partners. Records show that the Earth has always of wetlands all remove ecological niches Six candidates for the seventh mission synergy has long been demonstrated by addressed in the years to come. It Underpinning the new strategy is a set undergone major changes. Change is a occupied by species. Over-exploitation have been identified. At the same time, the development and scientific exploit- outlines the observational challenges of ambitious objectives, which includes: natural property of the Earth System, of the natural world, as by over-fishing significant advances have been made in ation of meteorological satellites, which that these raise, and the contribution but there is mounting evidence that and over-grazing, will lead to loss of Earth science using data products and continue to be an important part of the that the Agency can make through the – launching a steady flow of missions those imposed on the system during the renewable resources and biodiversity. services from the Agency’s ERS and Living Planet Programme. programme. These challenges will guide addressing key issues in Earth science; last 150 years cannot be compared with Still more stress, and even a health Envisat satellites. Recent developments and advances ESA’s efforts in providing essential – providing an infrastructure to allow any previous changes. In the last hazard, is placed on populations by At the Ministerial Council meeting in already made in the Earth sciences have Earth observation information to the satellite data to be quickly and century, mankind has driven the water and air pollution, either through Berlin in December 2005, ESA Member efficiently exploited in areas of greenhouse-gas concentrations far catastrophic events such as oil-spills and States reconfirmed their commitment to research and applications; beyond the maxima reached during the explosions at chemical plants, or more the concept of the Living Planet – providing a unique contribution to last million years. It has become insidious effects from the long-term use Programme by funding the third phase global Earth observation capabilities, responsible for 70% of the nitrogen and of insecticides, run-off of nitrogen- covering the period 2008–2012. In complementing satellites operated by 95% of the phosphorus cycle on Earth, based fertilisers and air pollution in addition, they approved the initiation of other agencies and in situ observing and has reduced tropical forest areas by metropolitan areas. In addition to these the space component of the Global systems; 50%. To determine whether these threats to the natural world, managed Monitoring for Environment and – providing an efficient and cost- human-induced recent changes could systems are also subject to processes Security (GMES), in close cooperation effective process for rapidly transla- ultimately destabilise the Earth System, such as loss of fertility, desertification, with the European Commission. ting science priorities into space both natural system variability and the water stress and erosion. Although this programme is designed to missions, adequately resourced with consequences of human activities have Two issues are at stake here. The first provide data that underpin operational associated ground support; to be fully understood and quantified. is sustainability. Human life draws services, it will also contribute signifi- – developing innovative approaches to This is the scientific basis required for heavily on resources provided by the cantly to Earth science, in particular instrumentation. the sustainable future management of living world: clean air, fresh water, food, through the collection of long time series the Earth System as a whole. clothing and building materials. In the of observations. In turn, the Earth The overall vision for ESA’s Earth While the large-scale processes of interest of future generations, we have to Explorers will provide new understanding observation activities is to play a central global change are increasingly stressing find ways to guarantee that the that paves the way for new operational role in developing the global capability the biosphere, other less wholesale functioning of the life-support system services. In this sense, the Living Planet to understand our planet, predict changes may have equally serious and the ability of the ecosystems to Programme comprises complementary The ESA SP-1304 report emphasises the changes and mitigate the negative effects consequences for the viability of deliver goods and services are elements of research and operations. This different components of global change on its population. ecosystems. The loss and fragmentation maintained. 10 esa bulletin 129 - february 2007 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 129 - february 2007 11 Liebig

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