TED Talks Daily The satellite helping slow climate change — right now | Millie Chu Baird
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Jul 24, 2024 
Millie Chu Baird, an environmental advocate, is spearheading MethaneSAT, the pioneering satellite designed to track methane emissions—an urgent contributor to climate change. She explains how methane traps heat far more effectively than CO2 and why pinpointing its sources is vital. Baird emphasizes that accurate data from MethaneSAT will empower effective strategies to combat global warming, fostering transparency and collaboration among various stakeholders. This initiative represents a crucial step in our collective efforts to mitigate climate change.
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Finding Hope in Space
- Millie Chu Baird wasn't initially passionate about space.
- However, witnessing a rocket launch carrying MethaneSat changed her perspective, filling her with hope for climate action.
Methane's Potency
- Methane, though shorter-lived than CO2, traps significantly more heat in the short term.
- Controlling methane is crucial for immediate climate impact, and pinpointing sources is key.
Methane Tracking from Space
- MethaneSat is a satellite designed to precisely track methane emissions from various sources.
- The project required developing new spectrometer technology to detect methane from space.