Three Ways Satellites Help Us Understand Our Environment

Satellites help us see our world in new ways. Here are three ways that they have led to a better understanding of how we affect our environment and steps we can take to help protect it.

1. The Hole in the Ozone Layer

In the mid-1970s scientists developed a theory that certain gases in common products—hairsprays, aerosol deodorants, and refrigerants—could cause a serious problem. These gases could drift upward and damage Earth’s atmosphere when they were released. The damage would occur when the gases interacted with the Earth’s ozone layer. The Ozone layer acts as a protective shield that blocks dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. 

A decade later, satellite imagery revealed a huge, depleted area of the ozone layer over Antarctica. This confirmed scientists' theory and provided startling evidence of human impact on a global scale. In 1987, production of these hazardous gases was banned by a unanimous United Nations treaty. 

Four globes are in a row. From left to right these dates are underneath, noting the date of the Earth for each example: September 17 1979, October 7 1989, September 29 1999, and September 26 2009. Moving from left to right, a purple patch on each globe grows bigger. — This diagram shows the increase in size over time of the hole in the ozone layer. The “ozone hole” is a region in the atmosphere where the ozone level is dangerously low. But in images generated from satellite data, a low-ozone area looks like a hole. The ozone hole over Antarctica changes through the season. It grows in July as winter begins and reaches its maximum annual size in late September. Images courtesy of NASA.

A rectangular shaped, gold-colored craft orbits in space over earth. — This is the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). UARS carried nine instruments; including a microwave limb sounder. The microwave limb sounder studied the “limb” of Earth—its outer atmosphere. It measured ozone and other atmospheric compounds. Image courtesy of NASA.

2. Monitoring Landscape Changes

One of the first steps to realizing there’s a problem is visualizing the problem. When it comes to the environment, images taken by satellites are one of the resources available to us in this effort. Images taken by satellites gives us an idea of the Earth’s changing landscape on a much larger scale than could be seen from the ground.  

Three satellites images of the Aral Sea in a row. From left to right, they are dated 1977, 1989, and 2006. As the dates get more recent, the sea shrinks. — These satellite images show the Aral Sea (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan). The Aral Sea has shrunk due to water diversions for farming. The exposed salty seabed harmed the region’s agriculture, and the sea continues to shrink. Image courtesy of NASA.

3. Wildlife Conservation

Global Positioning System, or GPS as it is commonly known, is another way satellites help us monitor our evolving Earth—particularly when it comes to wildlife conservation. 

Monitoring devices equipped with GPS allow scientists to track the movement and migration of sharks, birds, elephants, and other animals. This data helps scientists study their behavior and improve strategies for helping wildlife.  

A manta ray swims in the ocean, a small cylindrical device is attached to its back. — A young male manta ray with a satellite tag in southern Florida. The tag is attached in a safe manner, so as not to hurt the animal or reduce its ability to swim. Image courtesy of NOAA.

From the ozone to underwater life, satellites help us understand our environment. In some cases, satellites enable us to take steps to protect it.

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