Indian and French space agencies lead the push for "big space data" on climate change

The Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) and the French Government space agency, Centre National d’études Spatiales ( CNES) have invited the space agencies of more than 60 countries from around the world to agree with the ‘New Delhi Declaration’. The agreement plays a part in the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, to reduce the harmful effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. The agreement leads the way for the satellites of space agencies around the world to make changes in the calibration of their satellites. The new set of readings will be intercompatible with each other, allowing for “big space data” on climate change to be gathered. The space agencies have agreed to co-ordinate on their data gathering and monitoring methods.  Out of the 50 essential climate change variables being studied by scientists today, 26 can only be measured by satellites. These variables include rising sea levels, the extent of sea ice coverage, and the concentration of greenhouse gases in particular layers of the atmosphere. “It is overwhelming to see the unilateral support of all space agencies to use space inputs for monitoring climate change” said ISRO Chairman AS Kiran Kumar. “Earth observation satellites provide a vital means of obtaining measurements of the climate system from a global perspective. ISRO is committed for the continuity of earth observation data, through the thematic series of satellites, with improvements en-route, to meet contemporary as well as future needs. ISRO is also engaging with CNES, JAXA and NASA for realising joint missions for global climate observation with advanced instruments.”