The vision

“It doesn’t matter how many thermographers we have, boots on the ground, satellites flying in the air, people with drones and airplanes and all the other technology, none of it matters if you don’t stop methane. None of it counts.”

— Sharon Wilson, “methane hunter” and director of Oilfield Witness

The spotlight

In my previous career working with satellites, I often found that people outside the space industry had a simplistic view of satellite technology. While satellites play a crucial role in enabling modern conveniences like GPS, weather forecasting, and long-distance communication, their importance in climate solutions is often overlooked. A new generation of precision satellites is now being used to detect and prevent pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently, SpaceX launched a satellite called Tanager-1, designed to identify and monitor greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This collaboration between NASA, Planet Labs, Carbon Mapper, and others aims to address the urgent issue of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. The launch of Tanager-1 is part of a larger effort to deploy satellites capable of monitoring methane emissions and taking action to reduce them.

Through our reporting, we had the opportunity to speak with Riley Duren, CEO of Carbon Mapper, about the importance of satellite technology in climate research. Duren emphasized the crucial role of monitoring in managing greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the need for sustained satellite surveillance to effectively address climate change.

The launch of Tanager-1 and other planned satellites by Carbon Mapper will complement existing missions like MethaneSAT, providing valuable data on methane emissions and facilitating targeted actions to reduce them. This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in leveraging satellite technology for environmental conservation.

For more insights on the role of satellites in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for this new technology, read the full feature co-written by Naveena Sadasivam and myself. Click here to access the full article.

— Syris Valentine

Spying from space: How satellites can help identify and rein in a potent climate pollutant (Excerpt)

In March, a satellite capable of detecting methane emissions from space was launched, marking a significant milestone in methane research. The rise in methane levels in the atmosphere poses a serious threat to the environment, with emissions from various sources contributing to the problem. Identifying and addressing methane leaks is crucial for mitigating climate change, as methane has a much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide.

MethaneSAT, the latest addition to a fleet of methane-detecting satellites, is equipped to monitor methane emissions and pinpoint sources of pollution. This technology offers a promising solution to the pressing issue of methane leaks, providing valuable data for action against climate change.

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has successfully launched a satellite that has the capability to orbit the globe 15 times a day, monitoring regions responsible for 80% of the world’s oil and gas production. This satellite, along with others in orbit, is expected to revolutionize how regulators and watchdogs oversee the oil and gas industry.

Danielle Fugere, president of As You Sow, a nonprofit organization advocating for climate action, highlighted the need for stricter regulations on methane emissions and expressed optimism that the new satellite will incentivize companies to reduce their environmental impact.

Despite initial concerns about the launch, the SpaceX rocket carrying the satellite successfully deployed it into orbit, marking a celebratory moment for the team behind the project. The data collected by the satellite will be publicly available, allowing environmental advocates, oil and gas companies, and regulators to access information vital for addressing methane emissions and combating climate change.

With the satellite now in orbit, the focus shifts to calibrating the equipment and ensuring its functionality. The data it generates in the coming months is expected to provide valuable insights for various stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, and environmental activists.

Overall, the launch of this satellite represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change and the reduction of methane emissions. Its success will depend on the quality of the data it produces and how effectively that data is utilized to drive positive change. Please provide an alternative content that you would like me to rewrite.