Climate change has been a controversial and recently undeniable topic in the news. Recent research has shown that satellite maps may be able to predict and highlight environmental alterations. This article is going to explain what a satellite map is and how they pertain to climate change.
Satellite maps are detailed data sets based on the information and location of various orbiting satellites. A satellite map can predict the trajectory of the thousands of satellites that orbit our planet, or the data from the satellites can be gathered to generate maps that highlight specific datasets of information.
Satellite Maps and Air Pollutants
To understand the correlation between satellite maps and climate change, first, let’s look at how satellites can pinpoint emissions. Greenhouse gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane are some of the leading causes in climate change. High-speed connectivity and advancements in technology have led to the satellites that are being developed today. NASA, among other government entities and companies, has been able to utilize these satellites to target the source of greenhouse emissions and monitor these pollutants.
According to the ESA, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite has the most advanced capabilities for monitoring air pollution like nitrogen dioxide levels. These advanced satellites are being able to predict the formation of said pollutants.
The monitoring of air pollution has been in place for about 10 years now due to proactive government programs, such as the GOSAT Project for monitoring CO2. Fortunately, all aspects of air pollutants are currently or about to be monitored by various government entities.
Climate Change
The effects of climate change have been characterized by drastic weather changes and overall increases in temperatures. These changes can be seen in melting ice caps, warming oceans, and the rising of sea levels. If we take into consideration Landsat data, then users can virtually witness these changes taking place to the climate. Glaciers are visually melting, and deforestation is apparent, with rates even speeding up in recent years. There are also visible lakes shrinking in diameter due to the increase in temperatures. All of these features greatly affect the survival of our species and others. From disastrous weather patterns to decreasing crop production, we need to be prepared for climate change.
Prediction and Preparation
Philosophers and scientists have always tried to predict the future but with GIS and satellite maps this task may have become slightly more accurate. According to Nature.com, climate-analog mapping is a significant way to explain the major changes that are in the future for the North American climate. This mapping technique portrays one area into the likeness of another. For example, the scientists at Nature Communications believe that by the year 2050 most urban cities will have a climate shift of about 220 miles south. By the year 2080, these pinpoints in atmospheric location change will nearly double.
AT&T is playing its part in explaining climate change and its impact on telecom. If forecasts and predictions of the changes in climate are accurate, the internet will greatly suffer from the intensity of storms destroying above-ground connections to the intense flooding and submerging of thousands of cell tower sites. According to TeleCompetitor, by the year 2033, 4,000 miles of fiber in the United States will be underwater.
Fortunately, AT&T has also developed ways for telecom companies to be prepared. In its recently released whitepaper, AT&T goes into detail about how they have been proactive in preparing for climate change by reducing fleet emissions and reducing their carbon footprint. The company has even implemented a new resiliency assessment tool to help assess their impact on future climate changes. The company has also been able to analyze climate risks and make informed decisions based on its analyzations.
This map shows possible climate change and its impacts in the future.
It is essential to be informed about what climate change will bring to our environment, education is the key to making pertinent informative decisions. For more telecom data and predictive analysis, contact GeoTel today!
Author: Valerie Stephen
