We now have the technology to monitor GHG from space at a global level. An important policy implication is that we can verify national emissions reduction targets. So let’s go! 🧪🔌💡
The methane detector on the Tanager-1 satellite is really, really cool www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/first-g...
The imaging spectrometer aboard the Carbon Mapper Coalition’s Tanager-1 satellite identified methane and carbon dioxide plumes in the United States and internationally.
There have been a lot of methane detecting satellites: this is the first one I've seen where the people running say they have a CO2 detecting capability. Before this people used to talk about "detecting GHG plumes" but it always seemed to be methane plumes.
With some (big) caveats though. These instruments can see intense point sources but have a much harder time with diffuse or small sources (cars, wetlands, etc).
Australia’s CSIRO will NOT be happy about this. No more cash for greenwashing gas fields based on monitoring a single carefully chosen well.
Third photo is from Midland, Texas and I can attest that you don’t need satellites to tell you there’s methane in the atmosphere; your nose will suffice. It positively *reeks* of it, driving through.