Satellite technology used for climate and water monitoring

Satellite technology is being utilized for critical environmental monitoring and climate change research in Spain and Venezuela.

In Spain, researcher Jose Antonio Sobrino of the University of Valencia has been recognized with the National Research Award for his extensive work using satellite imagery to track climate change indicators, such as temperature shifts, greenhouse gas levels, and water availability. Sobrino has emphasized the urgent need for urban climate refuges to protect populations from rising temperatures and heatwaves.

In Venezuela, the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (Abae) is implementing a satellite monitoring project to evaluate 14 high-priority hydrographic basins. The project focuses on areas essential for hydroelectric power and drinking water, specifically in states such as Lara, Sucre, Amazonas, and Bolívar. Researchers are analyzing five years of data to identify human intervention, forest degradation, and sediment accumulation to help authorities implement conservation measures.