Revolutionary British Satellite to Create First-Ever 3D Forest Map of Earth to Fight Climate Change

A British satellite named Biomass is set to become the first in the world to assess the health of the Earth’s forests from space. This mission is more than just a technological achievement; it aims to play a critical role in our understanding of climate change and forest ecosystems. By accurately monitoring tropical forests, we hope to protect future generations from the impacts of climate breakdown.

Launched on April 29 from French Guiana, the Biomass satellite showcases the UK’s ability to lead in both space innovation and climate action. This project has created around 250 skilled jobs at Airbus in Stevenage, supporting the British space industry’s growth, which employs over 52,000 people nationwide.

The satellite’s mission, conceptualized by Professor Shaun Quegan from the University of Sheffield, will map tropical forests in 3D after 17 months, producing new maps every nine months for up to five years. This valuable data will offer insights that are essential to understanding how deforestation and forest regrowth impact our carbon balance.

Forests play a vital role in climate management. They absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate global warming, but they are also under threat from human activities. Traditional methods of measuring forest biomass are limited, often only capturing images of the canopy. Biomass, however, can penetrate cloud cover and provide more accurate assessments of the entire forest.

Experts emphasize the importance of this satellite. Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, stated that Biomass offers critical insights into how forests contribute to the planet’s carbon cycle. This knowledge will guide scientists and policymakers in developing effective strategies for reaching net-zero emissions.

The mission also has broader implications for biodiversity. By understanding habitat loss in forests, we can better assess the risks to wildlife and ecosystems.

Recent data underlines the urgency of this mission. According to a 2022 report by the Global Forest Watch, the world lost 10 million hectares of forest annually over the last decade. This highlights the pressing need for effective monitoring tools like Biomass to support conservation efforts.

As discussions around climate change intensify, the Biomass satellite is a beacon of hope. It represents not only advancement in space technology but also commitment to preserving our planet’s vital resources. With the UK leading such initiatives, the potential for attracting more global investment in innovative climate solutions looks promising. This mission exemplifies what can be achieved with collaboration across sectors to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time.



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