The satellite helping slow climate change — right now | Millie Chu Baird
Sep 13, 2024
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Millie Chu Baird, an environmental advocate specializing in tracking global methane emissions, discusses the groundbreaking MethaneSAT satellite. This innovative technology precisely identifies methane leaks, a potent greenhouse gas. Baird emphasizes that understanding methane's origins is crucial for combatting climate change. The conversation also highlights global collaboration and commitments to reduce emissions, showcasing the transformative potential of satellite data in climate strategies. Hope from space is real, and it could lead to tangible solutions for our planet.
MethaneSAT provides precise tracking of methane emissions globally, enabling effective strategies for immediate climate action and accountability.
Collaboration among governments and private entities, including the global methane pledge, is crucial for significantly reducing methane emissions by 2030.
Deep dives
The Urgency of Addressing Methane Emissions
Methane is a significant contributor to climate change, comprising about 12% of U.S. emissions. While carbon dioxide emissions are more prevalent, methane is over 80 times more effective at trapping heat in the short term, making its management crucial for immediate climate action. Major sources of methane emissions include livestock, leaky natural gas pipelines, and organic waste in landfills. Addressing these emissions requires not only technological innovations but also a shift in public and corporate priorities to reduce methane output effectively.
Innovative Solutions with MethaneSAT
MethaneSAT is a newly developed satellite designed to monitor and quantify methane emissions from various sources with unprecedented precision. It utilizes advanced spectrometers to analyze methane concentrations from space, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of emission sources across the globe. This satellite aims to provide reliable data that companies and governments can use to better report and address methane leaks, which have historically been underreported due to insufficient data. By delivering actionable insights, MethaneSAT is poised to catalyze significant reductions in methane emissions over the coming years.
Collaboration and Accountability for Change
The effectiveness of MethaneSAT is amplified by the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including governments and private companies. Organizations are encouraged to commit to reducing methane emissions drastically, with many pledging to cut emissions by 90% by 2030. Additionally, initiatives like the global methane pledge bring together over 150 countries to tackle this urgent issue collectively. The transparency created by robust data not only holds companies accountable but also empowers communities to advocate for improved air quality and public health.
Meet MethaneSAT: the satellite circling Earth right now to track global emissions from methane: a highly potent, short-term greenhouse gas. Environmental advocate Millie Chu Baird details the heat-trapping side effects of a planet full of methane — and explains why understanding where it comes from and taking steps to reduce it is the single most important thing we can do to affect climate change in our lifetimes. MethaneSAT is part of the Audacious Project, TED's initiative to inspire and fund global change. After the talk, Sherrell expands on what this powerful tech could mean for humanity.