Understanding Climate Change and What It Means to Combat It
Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions. These activities pump greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide and methane—into the atmosphere, trapping heat and disrupting ecosystems across the planet.
Combating climate change means addressing both mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sinks like forests, while adaptation involves adjusting our infrastructure, agriculture, and cities to better withstand the changing climate.
What Are We Doing Right Now?
Tackling climate change is a massive, global effort that brings together governments, private companies, scientists, and citizens. Here’s what’s happening right now:
International Agreements: Landmark initiatives like the Paris Agreement have brought countries together to commit to keeping global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Expanding Renewable Energy: There’s a global push to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric
Tech Innovations: Advances in electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, carbon capture technology, and efforts by innovative startups are helping to cut emissions. Startups like Pixxel are developing hyperspectral imaging satellites to monitor air pollution and crop health, Sceye is deploying high-altitude airships to monitor environmental changes, and MethaneSAT focuses on tracking methane emissions. These emerging companies are pushing the boundaries of Earth observation and climate tech, playing a vital role in advancing innovation and supporting smarter climate action.
Conservation Efforts: Reforestation projects and efforts to protect existing forests play a key role in absorbing carbon and preserving biodiversity.
The Timeline: Why Haven’t We Solved This Yet?
Despite decades of awareness about the risks of climate change, real progress has been frustratingly slow. Although public understanding has grown, significant action continues to lag, hindered by a complex web of political, economic, and social challenges. Many countries grapple with conflicting incentives—on one hand, they're under pressure to reduce emissions and meet international climate targets, but on the other, they rely heavily on fossil fuel industries that drive their economies.
To balance these competing priorities, governments have introduced various incentives: tax credits for renewable energy projects, subsidies for electric vehicles, and grants for climate-focused startups. While these measures signal progress, they are often inconsistent and fall short when compared to the scale of the crisis. Additionally, international cooperation remains fragmented. Some nations champion aggressive climate policies, while others hesitate, citing economic concerns or political opposition. This global imbalance complicates efforts to create cohesive, worldwide strategies essential for effectively tackling climate change.
Powerful economic interests tied to fossil fuels further obstruct meaningful action. Misinformation campaigns have also played a role, sowing doubt about climate science and dampening public and political will. Even where awareness exists, the urgency and scale of action required to prevent the worst impacts of climate change remain insufficient.
How Earth Observation is Changing the Game
This is where Earth observation technology steps in as a game-changer. Using satellites, drones, and ground sensors, these technologies provide real-time, accurate data on everything from air pollution and deforestation to ocean temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. This data is critical—not just for understanding the scale of the problem but for crafting targeted solutions.
Some major Earth observation initiatives include:
Copernicus Programme (EU): A network of Sentinel satellites that tracks changes in land, air, and sea, providing critical data for climate monitoring and disaster response.
NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS): A fleet of satellites gathering data on weather, climate patterns, and environmental changes.
MethaneSAT: A collaboration between the Environmental Defense Fund and New Zealand Space Agency that focuses on detecting methane leaks—a powerful greenhouse gas.
Destination Earth (DestinE): A project by the EU to create a “digital twin” of Earth, allowing scientists and policymakers to simulate and predict environmental changes.
5 Ways Earth Observation is Driving Sustainability and Economic Growth
According to the World Economic Forum, Earth observation is not just about tracking climate change—it’s creating real economic opportunities while promoting sustainability. Here are five key ways satellite data is making an impact:
1. Sustainable Supply Chains: Earth observation helps industries like timber, cocoa, and palm oil monitor deforestation in real-time, ensuring compliance with regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation. This reduces legal risks and protects biodiversity.
2. Renewable Energy Planning: Satellite data streamlines renewable energy site selection by analyzing factors like solar exposure and wind patterns, cutting assessment costs by up to 33% and enabling more efficient, eco-friendly energy projects.
3. Water Management in Agriculture: Tools like NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission help farmers optimize irrigation, reducing water use by up to 25%, lowering costs, and protecting ecosystems.
4. Climate-Resilient Urban Planning: Earth observation aids city planners in addressing risks like floods and heatwaves, leading to more resilient infrastructure, lower damage costs, and improved urban air quality.
5. Disaster Response and Recovery: During natural disasters, satellite imagery provides rapid insights into damage zones, enhancing relief efforts, minimizing downtime for businesses, and accelerating ecosystem recovery.
Earth observation technologies are proving that environmental sustainability and economic growth can go hand-in-hand, driving positive outcomes for both businesses and the planet.
How Startups and Tech Innovators Are Leading the Charge
The Earth observation sector isn’t just for governments and big agencies anymore—startups are now driving some of the most exciting innovations. And this market is booming, bridging the gap between climate goals and profitable business models.
Startups Shaping the Future of Earth Observation
Pixxel: Developing hyperspectral imaging satellites that capture detailed environmental data, from air pollution levels to crop health.
Sceye: Using solar-powered airships floating high above Earth to monitor wildfires, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions at a lower cost than traditional satellites.
MethaneSAT: While technically a non-profit mission, its advanced methane-tracking technology is setting a new standard for emission monitoring.
A Crowded but Profitable Space
Venture Capital Boom: In 2023, investors poured $12.5 billion into space startups, with Earth observation standing out for its wide-ranging applications.
Fleet Space Technologies: Raised $150 million to expand its satellite network, helping locate critical minerals for clean energy technologies.
Planet Labs: Built a profitable business by offering daily Earth imagery to industries like agriculture, insurance, and urban planning.
Profitability Challenges and Big Wins
Sure, space startups aren’t exactly low-risk ventures. They require massive upfront investments, and profitability can take years—SpaceX famously took nearly two decades to turn a profit. But startups that find the right niche, like using Earth observation for supply chain monitoring or renewable energy site selection, are hitting the sweet spot between sustainability and profitability.
The Bottom Line: Earth Observation is Critical to Combating Climate Change
In the fight against climate change, having real-time, accurate data is crucial. Earth observation technology is providing that data, helping governments, businesses, and communities make smarter, faster decisions.
From optimizing renewable energy projects to managing natural disasters, Earth observation isn’t just about seeing what’s happening—it’s about enabling real action. And as more startups enter the space and investors see the economic potential, the industry is becoming a powerful force for both profit and planetary health.
In short, Earth observation is proving that tackling climate change and growing a business don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, they might just be the perfect match.