The Search for Planet B? How Space Exploration Provides Solutions to Climate Change

By Cally Salter
November 2020

Space exploration has occupied the minds of scientists, writers and artists for hundreds of years. It’s impossible to gaze at the twinkling night sky without letting your imagination run wild. Are we alone in the universe? Or is there intelligent life roaming somewhere in the vast of the night? Whilst these questions might not yield concrete answers, space exploration could provide solutions to some questions a bit closer to home.

At firs glance, it’s easy to see why environmentalists might find fault with expensive space programmes. Surely that money would be better spent elsewhere? A shiny new spacecraft won’t prevent rising sea levels. A brand-new Mars rover won’t reverse melting ice caps. It might seem unnecessary, impudent even, to chase extra-terrestrial life when human life is being impacted by climate change on Earth. But space research has often pioneered technological advancement and understanding across the environmental sphere.

NASA’s Remarkable Discovery

From water purification to solar cells, space research has yielded growth in a surprising number of environmental benefits. But perhaps one of the most important events happened in 1987 – when NASA made a huge discovery that reverberated around the world. Their satellites discovered a growing hole in the fabric of the ozone layer which immediately commanded the world’s attention. The state of the ozone accelerated the Montreal Protocol in the same year – an international treaty committed to phasing out the production and consumption of chemical substances which have fuelled ozone depletion. These ozone depleting substances (ODS) include Hydrochlorofluorocarbons commonly found in fridges and air conditioning. In total, the parties signed up to the Montreal Protocol have phased out approximately 98% of ODS compared to 1990.[1]

The data collected from space satellites continues to play a pivotal role in addressing the effects of climate change. NASA currently commits one billion dollars every year to matters within Earth science. More than a dozen satellites orbit around our earth observing the planet’s land, oceans and biosphere. Journeying deep across the frozen expanse to gauge icecaps or underwater to check sea temperatures is unproductive and costly. TERRA is the flagship satellite which Earth Oberving System used to observe the land, ocean, ice, and snow. The AURA program measures the ozone by tracking different gases and aerosols. This data is used to develop knowledge on ozone trends and changes in air quality.[2] Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) uses LIDAR (a laser which measure radar) to measure the coverage and properties of clouds and aerosols, improving knowledge of their impact on Earth’s climate. [3]

Space satellites have also had a huge influence on tracking air pollution around the world. The recent Californian wildfires is testament to the increasing climate crisis. NASA sent out a HAQAST tiger team to track emissions and develop methods and instruments to provide solutions. The near future anticipates even more progress. The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO) mission is under construction to measure pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone over the United States on an hourly basis. TEMPO will help scientists understand more about atmospheric pollution across every minute of the day.[4]

The Thirst For Knowledge and A Spirit of Adventure

The benefits of space exploration are not limited to pure scientific knowledge and technological advancement. Man has always looked to the stars with a mix of wonder and inspiration. It has come to symbolise the thirst for knowledge and spirit of adventure which defines the very best of humankind. Space offers a unique perspective on humanity and our place in the universe. It showcases how rare and wonderful our Earth is. It also shows, in high resolution detail, just how fragile our Earth is. In no uncertain terms we are in the midst of a Climate Emergency. There might not be an answer on distant planets – a Planet B where we can remake our home. The next few years are therefore vital for charting a greener future before apocalypse now. Space exploration and research is not a luxury. It plays a vital role in determining our planet’s current achievements, future possibilities and and quite possibly its destiny.

Return to People and Planet

You May Also Be Interested In: How Climate Change is Exacerbating America’s Extreme Weather, Can robotic bees solve the planet’s pollination problem?