Methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming 80 times more than carbon dioxide over a period of 20 years. In fact, scientists recently discovered that methane has contributed to more than 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times. The good news is that we are currently using satellites to track methane leaks and reduce the pollution we release into the atmosphere.
A Canadian company, GHGSat Inc. has already launched Nanosatellites to provide more precise data on methane leaks from different industries. But what effort have we made to remove methane leaks from the atmosphere? How is GHGSat Inc. working on making the Earth Greener with these nanosatellites? Continue reading to find out.
Efforts Made So Far to Remove Methane Leak from Atmosphere
Since we embrace the industrial age, companies have been emitting megatons of methane into the atmosphere to meet their industrial needs. However, these tons of emitted methane are slowly exposing the earth to global warming. But since we commence with the space race, agencies have been researching the best ways to get rid of methane from the atmosphere. Currently, satellites from GHGSat have enabled us to possibly eliminate about 2.3 megatons of methane from the atmosphere in one year.
This is equivalent to removing 500,000 cars from the road to minimize carbon emissions. Since methane is more powerful and can expose the earth to global warming much faster than carbon, space agencies are working effortlessly to provide more precise data. Several satellites have been launched for this purpose. But, GHGSat Inc. is looking at launching additional nanosatellites to obtain extremely detailed data on methane leaks from several industrial sources across the world.
How GHGSat Inc. is working on making the Earth Greener with these nanosatellites
Since constellations of satellites have worked tirelessly to make our earth greener and more peaceful, GHGSat Inc. is looking at advancing the way we obtain precise information using its nanosatellites. Stephane Germain founded GHGSat in 2011 with the goal of playing an active role in the global fight against climate change. Germain has hoped to obtain more precise and accurate measurements of methane and carbon emissions to help the world successfully win the fight against climate change.
In the early phase of the company, Mr, Germain intended to use GHGSat to explore new market opportunities that have to deal with climate change. However, as businesses continue to see the need to effectively reduce their energy consumption and lower GHG emissions, Germain saw new business opportunities. Since GHGs are the main causes of global warming, he decided to venture into satellites that can detect methane emissions and help companies reduce the rate they contribute to global warming.
GHGSat Inc. focuses on making high-resolution remote sensing satellites that can give accurate values of emissions from space. The company deploys a fleet of nanosatellites to detect methane leaks from companies. These nanosatellites were so advanced that they can spot the smallest leaks from space. As of today, GHGSat is the only company that provides this service in the world using highly advanced technology for higher accuracy.
The emission data obtained from space is being sent to businesses, governments, investors, regulators, and other clients to help them reduce methane leaks during industrial processes. GHGSat revealed that companies were able to eliminate about 2.3 megatons of methane from the atmosphere in a year based on the emission data it provides to them. The Canadian company is aiming at removing 50 megatons of methane before the end of 2023.
The Canada Space Agency has been supporting Mr. Germain to improve the development of GHGSat Technologies for commercialization. Currently, only six GHGSat Satellites including, Claire, Iris, Hugo, Luca, Penny, and Diako are in orbit. These satellites were named after the children of GHGSat members. However, the company is looking forward to boosting its constellation size to 10 satellites starting from now to 2023. But for now, the six GHGSat satellites are serving humanity to their best efficiency. When the additional four satellites are added to the constellation, we should be expecting more detailed and precise emission data from space.
How GHGSat Nanosatellites are Saving Humanity from Climate Change
Climate change has continued to give humans great concerns as its severe consequences including floods, hurricanes, droughts, increasing forest fires, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels attracts devastating impact on lives and infrastructural developments. Millions of people across the globe have become displaced as a result of the devastating impact of climate change.
Scientists have discovered that methane emissions contribute to 30% of climate change. GHGSat nanosatellites have continued to provide us with emission data to help companies and other bodies reduce emissions that they sent to the atmosphere. As the Canadian-based company is looking forward to increasing the constellation of GHGSat nanosatellites to 10, we should be expecting to obtain more detailed data that will protect humanity from the devastating impact of climate change in the future.
Conclusion
As we work towards achieving carbon neutrality and protecting the earth from climate change, we should focus on exploring numerous ideas. The services provided by GHGSat nanosatellites will help humanity to curb methane leaks and stay safe from the devastating impact of climate change in the future. Other future technologies will also play significant roles in the way we explore space and protect our planet in the next century. What do you think about the services provided by GHGSat Inc.?
