Intelligence Through Networked Measurement and Reporting
Just as Earth Networks recognized and met the demand for real-time, localized weather information, the company is now fulfulling the need for precise atmospheric data by developing a network of environmental instruments on a large scale.
Over the next five years, Earth Networks will invest $25 million to develop and implement networks that measure environmental factors such as air quality, water quality, wind and pollution.
Today, there are only a few dozen instruments dedicated to measuring greenhouse gas levels around the world. As a result, these emissions have largely been estimated rather than precisely measured.
In contrast, by the middle of 2012 Earth Networks will have deployed 100 greenhouse gas measuring instruments, consisting of 50 in the United States, 25 throughout Europe and another 25 elsewhere around the world. These instruments will provide key data that can help explain the science behind carbon emissions and environmental patterns. Such data has the potential to do the following:
- Create the first-ever baseline measurement of critical environmental factors.
- Provide measurement, reporting and verification needed by the scientific community.
- Permit governments and other organizations to stay informed on current environmental observations.
- Educate the general public about greenhouse gas emission levels.
Earth Networks will use a top-down approach to accurately measure atmospheric greenhouse gases. In addition, the company will utilize a measurement technique called “inverse modeling” that will make it possible to trace atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions back to their source. This will strengthen understanding of environmental patterns, their causes and their effects.
To develop its Greenhouse Gas Network, Earth Networks is collaborating with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the world’s pre-eminent climate and environmental science institution. While Earth Networks will provide the networking expertise needed to collect a comprehensive data set, Scripps scientists will spearhead network design, instrument selection and placement and data quality control.
The information collected via the Earth Networks Greenhouse Gas Network will provide the scientific community and general public valuable, actionable information they can use regarding environmental issues and climate science.