The amount of data and information we have on the Earth's systems is expanding exponentially, including data from satellites, lidar systems, weather stations, buoys, and hundreds of other types of monitors. From database portals to geographic information systems (GIS) to Google Earth, the Internet brings the Earth's vital statistics to scientists, policymakers, and the public worldwide. As a direct result, we have a new understanding that human impacts can be global. For example, air pollution from the U.S. Midwest and East Coast affects Europe, mercury from power plants and other sources is found in fish in the middle of oceans around the world, and global warming is impacting the remote Arctic more than any other place on the planet.

Photo courtesy NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

This ability to monitor the entire Earth should enable us to make better environmental decisions based on this abundance of accumulated, available information. Environmental challenges like climate change and urban air quality are not science or political problems, but rather interdisciplinary problems that require a unified science-based solution. International and national monitoring efforts such as Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) are in progress. However, more than monitoring is required. Battelle scientists need global measures, along with data synthesis, and visualization to present information in such a way that people can understand the data in order to make informed decisions. A new scientific technology that is beginning to achieve relevance to environmental policy is Earth-observing satellite sensors, developed and managed by agencies such as the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These advanced environmental monitoring technologies collect large amounts of data about the Earth's natural processes and the human impact on the Earth's environment. Although environmental and Earth scientists are increasingly using these datasets, policymakers rarely utilize these data when addressing many environmental issues.

Battelle is deeply involved in evaluating and translating data from environmental monitors, such as satellite sensors, into information relevant for environmental policymakers. In collaboration with policymakers and remote sensing experts, we have worked on air quality and energy management environmental challenges.

Monitoring Air Quality from Space
Battelle has been a leader in the development of the analytical techniques for the use of satellite remote sensing data in air quality monitoring, forecasting, modeling, and public policy. Satellite remote sensing data can help air quality policymakers identify the location of peak concentrations and determine the concentration gradients between surface monitoring stations. Satellite sensors also provide a broad view of regional haze and can help determine the impact on urban air quality from local fires, dust storms, or transport of pollutants from more distant sources, including those crossing national or regional boundaries. These satellite technologies also have possible application in monitoring air quality in rural or remote regions where no ground-based monitoring network exists. Battelle research and applications on remote sensing and air quality have supported the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the integration of NASA satellite data into the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality databases.

Energy Management
Effective, environmentally sound development, production, and delivery of energy depend on Earth monitoring information. Industries and researchers in the energy sector have used satellite remote sensing data and products for climatology and development of solar and wind energy sources. The potential exists for application of Earth observation data in other energy management arenas. Battelle has been working closely with NASA to identify the key organizations, decisions-support tools, and partnerships that have the greatest potential to benefit from application of satellite-based information, particularly supply and load forecasting, long-term energy modeling and forecasting, and renewable energy (biomass and hydro-electric energy).

For more information, contact Dr. Jill Engel-Cox at (703) 875-2144, engelcoxj@battelle.org, or Ms. Erica Zell at (703) 236-1420, zelle@battelle.org.