Space and Climate Change: use of space-based technologies in the United Nations system

Climate change threatens to have a catastrophic impact on ecosystems and the future prosperity, security and well-being of all humankind. The potential consequences extend to virtually all aspects of sustainable development ? from food, energy and water security to broader economic and political stability. Global observing systems, including those from space, play an important role in helping to gauge these threats. This publication describes how United Nations organizations use the information provided by space-based technologies to monitor the Earth?s climate system and support decision-making about climate change adaptation, prediction and mitigation, including addressing the needs identified under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.