Space Data and Environmental Security: Sustaining Focus Amid Global Conflict

Space-based Earth observation (EO) is essential for tackling global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and disaster management. Satellites provide continuous, high-resolution monitoring of environmental changes, delivering critical data for scientific research, policy development, and emergency response. From tracking deforestation and Arctic ice loss to measuring greenhouse gas emissions and ocean temperatures, satellite observations enhance climate models and improve disaster preparedness, enabling proactive risk mitigation.

However, despite its significance, investment in environmental monitoring is increasingly being sidelined in favor of rising security and defense priorities. While geopolitical conflicts demand attention, neglecting climate monitoring poses long-term threats to global stability. Escalating climate impacts—extreme weather, food insecurity, and displacement—exacerbate existing security risks and require sustained, strategic intervention.

Climate change will not wait for geopolitical conflicts to resolve. Efforts to monitor and combat its effects must remain a priority. Governments, international organizations, and private stakeholders must recognize the intrinsic link between security and sustainability. Continued investment in space-based Earth observation is crucial not only for mitigating environmental crises but also for addressing the root causes of climate-driven instability and displacement, ultimately contributing to a more secure and resilient world.