COP-21: Satellite Observations, Models and Policy: Informing the Path from Knowledge to Action

Sponsor: NASA

Event Summary: Satellite data and computer models have proven to be powerful tools in helping us observe and understand the Earth system.

Satellite data as provided by NASA, NOAA, and international partners form a global perspective of how and why the Earth is changing. The wide range of these observations has been essential for challenging Earth system models and for sharpening our science questions about the processes that control climate change. As a result, the latest generation of Earth system models is able to provide useful, actionable information to the public and policy makers about the options for mitigating future changes.

The gamut of satellite data products is reviewed, covering the changing state of the oceans, the ice sheets, the atmosphere and the land. Special emphasis is placed on what we have learned about the global water cycle, an important component of the climate system as being crucial to people everywhere, and the carbon cycle, which will determine the future trajectory of climate change. Lastly, the history of the ozone hole is taken as an example of how science can usefully inform policy and catalyze action.