The Sky's the Limit: How AI and Satellite Data are Revolutionizing Climate Protection

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the importance of accurate and timely data has never been more crucial. And that's where satellite technology comes in – a game-changer in the quest to protect our planet. In recent years, the number of satellites orbiting the Earth has surged, and with it, the volume of data being generated has reached unprecedented levels. But what's driving this surge, and how are these data being used to develop new digital services that support climate protection?

Why are there more satellites than ever before?

The answer lies in the confluence of technological advancements, increased investment in space exploration, and growing demand from various industries. Miniaturization has made it possible to build smaller, more affordable satellites that can be launched more frequently. This, combined with the development of new launch vehicles and space-based infrastructure, has opened up new opportunities for satellite operators and data providers.

“A satellite is no longer in the hands of just governmental actors that have access to extensive budgets, but there is nowadays a growing production of small, commercially driven satellites with various services.”

*Heidi Kuusniemi, Professor in Computer Science and Director of Digital Economy at the University of Vaasa

How do satellites generate data?

Satellites use a range of methods to collect data, from multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to radar and lidar technology. Infrared and thermal sensing allow satellites to detect subtle changes in temperature and radiation patterns, providing valuable insights into global climate patterns. The choice of satellite orbit and sensor resolution also plays a critical role in determining data accuracy and quality.

Estimates suggest that satellites collectively generate several terabytes to petabytes of data daily, e.g. collected by earth observation and weather satellites, navigation and communications satellites or scientific and research satellites. As satellite technology advances and more satellites are deployed, this volume is expected to increase significantly.

How are satellite data used to develop new digital services?

The applications of satellite data are vast and varied. Climate modeling and weather forecasting rely on satellite data to predict weather patterns and climate trends. Environmental monitoring and conservation efforts use satellite data to track deforestation, monitor wildlife populations, and detect signs of climate change.

Agriculture and crop monitoring benefit from satellite data to optimize crop yields and detect early signs of drought or pests. And in the event of a disaster, satellite data provides critical information for emergency responders and relief efforts.

Let me mention some examples:

• Precision Positioning: Autonomous vehicles require highly accurate positioning data to navigate safely. GNSS data, combined with other sensors, provides the precision needed for lane-keeping, obstacle avoidance, and route optimization.
• Disaster Response and Incident Detection: In the event of natural disasters, satellite data helps in coordinating emergency response efforts and ensuring that vehicles can navigate affected areas. Satellites can detect accidents, road blockages, and other incidents, enabling quicker response and better traffic management.
• Emission Monitoring: Satellites track air quality and vehicle emissions, providing data to develop policies and initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
• Vegetation Indices: Satellites equipped with sensors can capture data on vegetation indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which helps farmers monitor crop health, growth stages, and detect stress due to pests, diseases, or inadequate water.
• Field Variability and Weather Patterns: Satellites provide high-resolution images that help farmers understand field variability and manage different zones of a field according to specific needs, optimizing the use of inputs like fertilizers and water. Satellite data offers accurate weather forecasts and climate monitoring, helping farmers plan planting, irrigation, and harvesting schedules more effectively.
• Drought and Flood Monitoring: Satellites track soil moisture levels, precipitation, and potential flood events, enabling farmers to take preventive measures against droughts and floods
• Soil Moisture Sensors and Soil Mapping: Satellites equipped with soil moisture sensors provide data on soil water content, assisting in efficient irrigation management and ensuring optimal crop growth. Satellite data helps in creating detailed soil maps that inform farmers about soil composition, nutrient levels, and areas needing attention.
• Biodiversity and Habitat Monitoring: Satellites track changes in land use and habitat, helping farmers implement practices that promote biodiversity and maintain ecosystem health.
• Sustainability Monitoring: Satellite data assists in monitoring the environmental impact of farming practices, encouraging sustainable agriculture and compliance with environmental regulations.

“Space data is the new oil – everybody wants to access it for so many different reasons.”

*Linda Lyckman, SVP Business & Technology Innovation at SSC – Swedish Space Corporation

The role of AI in satellite data analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing the way we analyze and process satellite data.

By applying complex algorithms to vast amounts of data, AI and ML enable us to identify patterns and trends that would be impossible for humans to detect. This allows us to develop predictive models that forecast climate events, detect early signs of environmental degradation, and optimize resource allocation. Meanwhile. the use of AI enables the automation of data analysis processes, allowing for real-time monitoring and decision-making. This is particularly important for applications like satellite imagery analysis, where timely information is critical.

AI can uncover new insights and discoveries by analysing data in ways that humans might not consider. This can lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe and the development of new technologies.

Data for Climate Observation - Digital Twin of our Planet Earth

A digital twin of our planet, also known as a "Digital Earth," is a concept that aims to create a highly detailed, virtual representation of the Earth's systems, including its atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice. This digital replica would be used to simulate and predict the effects of climate change, as well as test and evaluate various strategies for mitigating its impacts.

One concept for capturing a digital twin of our planet comes from the European Union in collaboration with ESA, ECMWF and EUMETSAT: the ‘Destination Earth’ project. The project aims to develop such digital twin of our planet. This twin will be used to monitor the effects of natural and human activity on our planet, anticipate extreme events and adapt policies to climate-related issues.?Also, NVIDIA recently joined the game.

Introducing the IBM Environmental Suite

The IBM Environmental Suite is a powerful platform that leverages satellite data, AI, and ML to support climate protection efforts. The solution provides data analytics and visualization tools, predictive modeling and forecasting capabilities, and decision-making tools for environmental management.

"IBM Environmental Intelligence provides a wide range of Geospatial APIs to help application developers and data scientists gather what is happening on Earth’s surface and then use the data to predict various outcomes and design a proactive course of action. There is a wealth of public satellite data readily accessible to obtain weather and climate related insights."

By combining the strengths of satellite data and AI, the IBM Environmental Suite is helping organizations and governments make data-driven decisions that drive positive change.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, the importance of accurate and timely data cannot be overstated. Satellite technology is playing a critical role in this effort, providing a wealth of data that can be used to develop new digital services and support climate protection efforts.

By combining satellite data with AI and ML, we can unlock new insights and drive positive change. The sky's the limit – and with the IBM Environmental Suite, we're one step closer to realizing a more sustainable future.

Read more:

• "Program ?Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future”- Helmholtz: https://earthenvironment.helmholtz.de/changing-earth/program/
• "Destination Earth" - ESA: https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Destination_Earth
• "NVIDIA Announces Earth Climate Digital Twin" - NVIDIA: https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-earth-climate-digital-twin
• "IBM in Space" - IBM: https://www.ibm.com/industries/space
• "Embedding Environmental Intelligence to accelerate climate resilience" - IBM: https://newsroom.ibm.com/Blog-Embedding-Environmental-Intelligence-to-accelerate-climate-resilience
• "IBM Environmental Intelligence" - IBM: https://www.ibm.com/products/environmental-intelligence