What Earth observations provide to us
With good Earth observations, we have crucial data and information
Earth observations (EO) are collected through a variety of means, including both ground based and remotely placed instruments such as satellites or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The information from the data these instruments collect plays an important part towards both proactive disaster management and disaster response. The value of Earth observations can be both monetary and non-monetary.
For example, the value of weather forecasts for "early warning" of severe and extreme weather events is widely known and accepted; and imagery showing areas of drought or plant stress is routinely used towards proactive land management to help prevent famines and save lives. In addition, Earth observations can be used to support recovery operations, and monitor trends after a disaster, such as for example restoration of burned areas after a fire.
Many different types of stakeholders involved in disaster management use Earth observations: first responders, humanitarian aid organisations, governments at the local, regional, and national level, as well as disaster risk professionals seeking to have a better understanding existing or future vulnerabilities to disasters.
Freely available Earth observations play a key role in facilitating its use by disaster management professionals and other stakeholders involved with disaster avoidance; while the greater spatial and temporal detail provided by privately owned imagery provides a wealth of potentially useful information to improve proactive disaster management.
Earth observations also directly support good governance. For example, land-use imagery can help tell us whether agreements on forest management have been fulfilled; or how the vulnerability to landslides may be decreasing due to policies on land management.
Earth observations example sources
Copernicus EMS
Global Wildfire Information System
Copernicus EMS On Demand Mapping provides on-demand information for selected emergency situations that arise from natural or man-made disasters around the world.
Global Wildfire Information System
Global Wildfire Information System
GWIS aims to bring together existing information sources to provide a comprehensive view and evaluation of fire regimes and fire effects.
Global Flood Awareness System
The aim of the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) is to support preparatory measures and emergency response to predicted and ongoing major flood events.
NASA Disasters Mapping Portal
NASA Disasters Mapping Portal
This NASA website is a solution for viewing, analysing, and downloading near real-time and disaster specific data products in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) format...
Group on Earth Observations
NASA Disasters Mapping Portal
Group on Earth Observations
GEO is a global network connecting government institutions, academic and research institutions, data providers, businesses, engineers, scientists and experts.
Earth observations in the news
How Earth observation can support Disaster Risk Reduction strategies
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR WG) is developing and implementing a coherent and crosscutting approach within GEO to advance the use of Earth observations (EO) in support of national and local disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts...
The Early Warnings For All Initiative
A global initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027 is being fast-tracked into action on the ground...
The Earth Observations Risk Toolkit for Disaster Risk Reduction
The EO Risk Toolkit will help pilot countries, primarily Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and some vulnerable middle-income countries, develop a more comprehensive understanding of the risks that come with natural hazards and climate change...