NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, left, signs the Space for Climate Observatory charter alongside Philippe Baptiste, chairman and CEO CNES. Photo: CNES/NOAA

The United States joined the Space for Climate Observatory (SCO), this week an initiative for international coordination on climate change monitoring. Dr. Richard Spinrad, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administrator, signed the charter as the lead agency for the United States.

The Space for Climate Observatory began in 2019 under the leadership of French space agency CNES to combine satellite data with scientific research to model and track climate change and its impacts at global-to-local scales. It has 38 members and is preparing to release its new international charter at the end of the month. 

Philippe Baptiste, chairman and CEO of CNES said the organization works to combine space data and other data sources to provide tools for decision-making on preparedness, adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change. 

“The United States, represented by NOAA, strongly supports the establishment of the Space for Climate Observatory, and we are pleased to be among the first signatories of its charter. We look forward to working with our federal and international partners, including CNES, to turn Earth observations into actionable information to help governments and communities combat the climate crisis and adapt to our changing world,” Spinrad commented.