Earth Observation, Global Perspective
By Paul Racette, posted on February 3rd, 2008 in Earth Observation, OpEd
By means of Earth observing systems and nearly-instantaneous global communication, we now witness with acute clarity the deleterious effects of our newly discovered and unabashed powers - not unlike when an invasive species of beetle in a forest discovers what appears to be an endless food supply. One species of life thrives to the detriment of the health and diversity of the broader ecosystem. The beetle population contracts as the resources that have provided its prosperity dwindle; the ecosystem is transformed and returns to a new state of equilibrium characterized by a sustainable existence of its member species. In seven generations from now, what will be the relationship between humans and Earth’s environment? The next state of equilibrium during which humans will live in balance with the Earth’s ecosystems depends on the choices we make today. In turn, those choices are influenced by the way we view Earth.
On the ground, from ships and aircraft and with space-based sensors, we are witnessing rapid changes in the Earth’s environment. Our home planet is changing at an ever increasing rate. In 2007 we observed the greatest decrease in Arctic sea ice. There’s a large uncertainty as to the impact of a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean that now appears imminent. The increased solar absorption and advection from the open water will likely accelerate the heating of the high-latitude regions resulting in substantial changes in global weather patterns. There is large uncertainty as to what extent human activities will change the planet. However, the uncertainty varies between significant environmental impact (e.g., massive erosion and flooding of coastal regions) to catastrophic consequences for life on Earth as we know it. The rate of increase in which species are becoming extinct is alarming. The impact on human life of a substantial fraction of the Earth’s species becoming extinct is likely severe. The exponential expansion of human population coupled with the increased demand for fresh water, food, energy and other raw materials is causing unprecedented environmental degradation. Daily, we each make decisions that impact our environment; collectively our actions affect the health and well being of Earth. Individually and collectively, we have the power to influence our environment and therein resides our hope for future generations.
Earth observation is essential not only to improving our understanding of the tremendously complex and nonlinear Earth processes on which all life depends but is vital to creating greater awareness of our mutual dependencies. It is through this awareness that we may make decisions that will lead to renewed sustainable relations with our environment. Increased awareness and improved understanding of our delicate relationship with Earth may be the greatest legacy of integrating the humanity’s Earth observing systems.
Arriving at a comprehensive system with which to observe the highly dynamic Earth is a formidable challenge, but one we must believe is possible to surmount. The challenge entails technical as well as cultural and political issues. Impacts move across the globe, whether they are severe storms, tsunamis or air quality degradation. To make decisions at a national and regional level that affect the global environment, society’s decision makers must have information that can be trusted and which is accessible on a 
continuing basis. The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (or GEOSS) is an endeavor to bring together Earth’s observing systems thereby making available Earth information across disciplinary, geographic and political boundaries. By targeting nine societal benefits areas (disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity), GEOSS will result in better understanding of anthropogenic effects and improve life on Earth. As an IEEE contribution, Earthzine strives to increase awareness through fostering and sharing Earth observations.
In October 2007, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Soviet launch of Sputnik and the birth of the space age. Subsequently, technological advances have provided astonishing and spectacular views of the universe, including our own home planet. Emergent perceptual powers, like our ability to view Earth in context of its minuscule size relative to cosmic scales, are transforming global awareness. Today, images of Earth from space are ubiquitous. These images enhance our ability to perceive the Earth as an integral body on which all life as we know it depends, including our own. These new perceptual powers enable us to see Earth not as a reservoir of resources for human consumption, but rather as a symbiotic relation essential to sustain human existence.
By creating awareness along with an improved understanding of Earth’s complex interdependent processes, Earth observations provide hope that the human species may live in harmony with Earth.
Paul Racette
Editor-in-Chief
editor@earthzine.org
6 Responses to “Earth Observation, Global Perspective”
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A most excellent essay!
sometimes i believe that it is probably too late.
Do “we” need to become extinct and have it start over
and see if it will flower differently next time?
extinction is always viewed so negatively. oh my, another gnat
has gone extinct. we onlhy spent 6 billion $ studing that gnat and 20 billion % trying to save it
before it went extint.
kind of like doing an amniocentesis, studying the dna,
and discovering anencephaly or something much worse.
abort it early and save the resources.
i think its too late. the ONLY thing that will have significant
effect is MASSIVE population reduction. or kill off western civilization, the major utilizers of resources.
“if the dinasours hadn’t become extinct, we wouldn’t be here!!@!”
drdave quote
This is a thoughtful article. In our family we are conscious about recycling and being responsible for using less of the earth’s resources. For example, we buy less packaged food, use canvas shopping bags, drive less, etc. However, I end up feeling that this is only a drop in the bucket and wonder how we can be doing more. I work for an educational institution where paper and other waste is being discarded on a monumental scale. Every day I think to myself, “This is just one tiny place on this huge planet and look at all of this waste.” How can we make more of a difference?
Thanks for writing this article and inspiring a deeper commitment towards being more responsible.
Thank you for your insights. It would appear that we are at a critical point in terms of having the capacity to reverse some of the damage done, and that large scale changes need to be implemented across countries and individuals that go way beyond only our observational abilities. One hopes that the political climate is now more conducive to acknowledging these on going changes and is more open to working together to rectify the many injustices that have been done in a swift and sufficient manner.
Thank You.
Chris Durbin
Thank you for bringing this awareness to whoever may still be oblivious and ignorant of these alarming facts, which I and most of my extended family ( which consists of thousands …… and probably millions worldwide ! )…….
of likeminded, alternative orienteed people , who have and are at this time making serious endeavors and efforts to live an exemplary , selfsustaining lifestyle !.
I am curious to find out what you and your Organisation plan and intend to do about it …? Do you have educational material etc. available for people interested in changing their lifestyle …and therefore learning to have less of an impact on destroying our planet and our environment !
Thank you for your article which gives me hope that we can make a difference. It doesn’t have to be a monumental task to “save the world.” It can be within reach by our simple daily choices. I would say making those choices on a personal and daily level could be as easy as choosing milk from a cardboard container instead of plastic. (When I buy a personal size milk, many times it comes in a plastic bottle so thick, it is almost bullet-proof. I cringe to think where this bottle may go… in a landfill and never disintegrate? or perhaps becomes a play toy for a dolphin in the ocean, or a poor animal gets a body part stuck in it and can’t get it out,…)
It could be a choice to bring your own cup to the coffee shop to get re-filled instead of using a “brand new” one made of paper and plastic.
This small thing may translate into something big that we don’t even realize. Perhaps by picking up that small piece of trash, you saved an animal from choking to death on it. Who is to say that a small effort will not make a difference? Even if it doesn’t, just the act of being “conscious” and respecting the Earth and its creatures must be a positive (e.g., change of perception).
Remote sensing of the Earth is extremely important to see the whole picture and see our Earth from a new perspective. Sometimes it takes going far away from our home in order to truly understand it.
I’m tired of how many of us don’t give a darn about how our population numbers are overpopulating our earth, and having impact on climate change. Read my recent post on http://peoplepowergranny.blogspot.com/ and tell me what size you think families should be today.