New Delhi: NASA has measured carbon dioxide emissions in over 100 countries around the world using an Earth-orbiting satellite. The pilot-scale project, which involved more than 60 researchers, estimated carbon dioxide emissions and removals using measurements from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) mission. The findings show how space-based tools could help achieve long-term climate goals.
OCO-2, which was launched in July 2014, uses three camera-like spectrometers to map natural and man-made carbon dioxide concentrations. The satellite is intended to provide a better understanding of how carbon contributes to climate change.
This is NASA's first dedicated Earth remote sensing satellite mission to investigate atmospheric carbon dioxide from space.
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The satellite data provides information about the countries' carbon dioxide emissions as well as the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere by forests and other carbon-absorbing "sinks" within their borders. Researchers used surface-based observations, as well as data from the OCO-2 mission, to measure changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Based on data from the OCO-2 satellite, NASA's map depicts the net emission and removal of carbon dioxide from 2015 to 2020. The green areas represent countries that removed more carbon dioxide than they emitted. Countries with higher emissions are shaded tan or brown on the map, according to the legend.
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Through the carbon cycle, sources, and sinks, Earth maintains a balance of carbon dioxide. The term "source" basically describes a process where carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by plants, animal decay, logging, or burning fossil fuels like coal. A "sink" takes some of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For instance, sinks can include the photosynthesis process that occurs in plants and even in oceans.
Researchers were able to comprehend the balance between the amount of carbon dioxide that was emitted and removed using this measurement-based approach, also known as the "top-down" approach. The study also paints a picture of how carbon moves through the land, oceans, and atmosphere of Earth.
Despite the fact that the OCO-2 mission was not specifically created to estimate emissions from particular countries, the results will be useful in other contexts.
In 2023, the first Global Stocktake will be held. It is the first formal evaluation of the Paris Climate Agreement's implementation and will evaluate the overall progress made by the world in tackling global warming.
The study tracks changes in ecosystems, which include trees, shrubs, and soils, as well as emissions from fossil fuels and the global "stock" of carbon.
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This information is particularly helpful for monitoring changes in carbon dioxide levels lin ked to changes in land cover.
Researchers are hoping to expand this pilot project in order to comprehend how emissions from various countries are changing.