Earth observation satellites
Tools for understanding climate change
Observing Earth from space is imperative if we are to truly understand the mechanisms of climate change. Satellites are often the only way to highlight gradual change on a global scale.
Planet Earth is made up of many components. Their complex interactions create and maintain conditions which support life.
We need a good knowledge of how these components work together if we are to accurately predict climate change.
Such predictions are extremely valuable. They can provide early warnings, helping countries prepare for and adapt to climate change.
The UK science community is at the forefront of the worldwide attempts to model how the Earth's component parts interact. These computer-based climate models encompass not only the atmosphere, ocean, ice and land, but also the effects of plants and marine life.