As technology advances, so does our impact on the environment. The consumption of resources continues to rise, often without visible or direct effects; however, the picture is different when viewed from space. Earth observation technology, including satellite imagery and remote sensing, provides a unique viewpoint that helps us understand the significant impact humans have on the ecosystem. By capturing changes in land, water, and climate over time, this technology allows us to take more informed and targeted actions.
In this article, we examine how these technologies are utilised to address some of today’s most pressing environmental issues. From shrinking lakes to shifting forests, satellite data is transforming how we monitor and respond to environmental changes on Earth.
Monitoring Deforestation with Earth Observation Insights
Deforestation is one of the most pressing environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, the world has lost tropical forests covering an area about 1.5 times the size of France. Earth observation and remote sensing technologies enable near real-time monitoring, supporting global efforts to slow this loss. Furthermore, by identifying regions that are likely to experience deforestation, satellite data analysis enables communication with key stakeholders while facilitating targeted investigations into illegal activity. Using this information, businesses can also avoid sourcing wood from high-risk sectors, thereby lowering demand and contributing to the reduction of regional deforestation.
Protecting Water Resources
Satellite imagery and remote sensing enable us to map disappearing shorelines and monitor changes in water bodies before they become irreversible. Water is essential to life. Nevertheless, increasing extraction from natural sources often leads to the shrinking of water bodies and the permanent loss of surface area. A stark example is the Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest lake. In the 1960s, water diversion for irrigation caused its surface area to shrink from 67,500 sq km to just 13,900 sq km by 2010. This dramatic decline devastated the local fishing industry and altered the regional climate. A dam built in 2005 between the Aral Sea’s northern and southern sections has since helped raise water levels in parts of the lake.
The Sahara Desert is another example. Historical studies indicate that this vast landscape was once lush, hosting “Lake Mega-Chad”, the largest freshwater lake on Earth, at approximately 360,000 square kilometres. This lake played a crucial role in supplying freshwater and supporting livelihoods across several African communities. By 2020, Lake Chad had shrunk to just 1,540 sq km. Due to human activity and climate change, the region has transformed into a desert, posing a significant threat to the vital water supplies of millions of people.
In response, the African Union, together with local governments and international partners, launched the Great Green Wall initiative. This ambitious plan aims to plant 8,000 km of trees to restore vegetation, improve rainfall, and stabilise the ecosystem.
Tracking Ice Loss from Space
Satellite images mostly reveal the dynamics of the vast and challenging-to-reach polar ice regions. Every year, the Greenland ice sheet alone loses over 200 gigatons of ice, which contributes approximately two-thirds of a millimetre to the global rise in sea level. Sea levels rose 14 millimetres between 2003 and 2019 due to the joint loss of Greenland and Antarctic ice.
Oceanic and atmospheric conditions are causing Greenland’s ice sheet to thin along its coastal boundaries, while the centre of the ice sheet is thickening, according to data from NASA’s ICESat-2 project. West Antarctica experiences rapid ice loss at the same time, primarily due to rising ocean currents beneath ice shelves. By weakening the ice base, this undercutting accelerates glacier thinning and increases global sea levels.
Earth Observation in Precision Agriculture
Earth observation technologies are transforming agriculture by enabling more informed and efficient agricultural management. Satellite imagery allows farmers to monitor their farms with precision, increasing efficiency and productivity. Dragonfly Aerospace, a leader in precision agriculture, has partnered with EOS Data Analytics (EOSDA) to deliver more effective, data-driven farming solutions. We manufactured and delivered two DragonEye high-performance multispectral imagers, which were deployed into low Earth orbit aboard EOS SAT-1 in 2023. This mission provides farmers and agribusinesses with rapid and accurate data to assess soil health and crop conditions in real time. Precision agriculture minimises food production costs, identifies appropriate planting locations, and supports efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity.
While Earth observation data cannot address all problems, satellite images can provide important insights into the causes of global environmental change. Using this data, stakeholders can make informed decisions to safeguard the environment and improve the quality of life. Precision cameras, backed by remote sensing technology, play a vital role in this process. These insights allow for data-driven action in areas such as conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable resource use. Together, they provide a powerful lens through which we can understand and protect our planet’s future, one image at a time.