– The Arctic Oscillation, La Niña, and North Atlantic Oscillation combine to steer winter’s cold, snowy weather away from the United States.

– Joy Reidenberg, an anatomist based in New York, and Mark Evans, a veterinary scientist, dissected a sperm whale that washed up in Kent, England, for an episode of the TV show “Inside Nature’s Giants.”

University of Port Harcourt

INTRODUCTION

Earth observation is the gathering of information about Earth’s physical, biological and chemical systems. It is used to monitor the status of the natural environment; its changes and built environment, thereby providing environmental information to the world. Environmental information is of crucial importance as it helps man to understand how the planet and its climate are changing, and the role played by human activities in inducing these influences in daily life.

Earth observation offers unprecedented levels of information and a holistic view of the environment and resources, both at home and abroad. There are service-focused Earth observation companies and organizations in countries as diverse as India, Israel, Russia, Canada and France. Earth observation data are controlled to all countries’ Earth environmental programs in order to:

• Assess the current information of the environment;
• Inform models;
• Understand relationships among Earth processes, environmental health and well being;
• Support decision making e.g. toward sustainability and involve stakeholders more effectively in environment decision-making.

Sustainability aims at optimal use of natural resources, protection and conservation of ecological systems and improvement economic efficiency for the sake of future generations. Earth observation has, so far, made sustainability a reality and it will do more as research is continuously done and technology is improved. The well being and security of future generations is dependent on everyone’s actions, and on the decisions being made today on environmental policies. To make the right choice, businesses and citizens must be provided with reliable and updated information on how our planet and its climate are changing.

Earth observation includes technological solutions including satellite observation, navigation and positioning systems. Satellite observation will be our focal point.

EARTH OBSERVATION SYSTEMS

Earth observation systems consist of models designed to measure, monitor and predict the physical, chemical and biological aspects of Earth systems. They range from buoys floating in the oceans to monitor temperature and salinity, to more than 60 high-tech environmental satellites that scan the planet from space. We also have meteorological stations and balloons that record air quality and rain water trends, solar radar systems which estimate fish and population (biodiversity), seismic and global positioning system (GPS) stations that record movements in the Earth’s crust and interior, powerful computerized models that generate simulations and forecasts, and early warning systems that issue alerts to vulnerable populations.

These various systems have typically operated in isolation from one another. In recent years however, sophisticated new technologies for gathering vast quantities of near-real-time high-resolution Earth observation data have become operational. At the same time, improved forecasting models and decision tools are increasingly allowing decision makers and other users of Earth observation to fully exploit this widening stream of information.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

The global positioning system (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNNS) that provides location and time information, in all weather, anywhere or near the water where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

APPLICATION OF GPS

1) In disaster relief and emergency services: These services depend upon the GPS for data on time and location. For instance, the GPS provides information on disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, rockslides and volcanic eruptions, including their nature, time, and place of occurrence. Through this information, the tendency of reoccurrence is examined and possibly even prevented, thereby saving lives and resources.

2) In tectonics: GPS enables direct fault motion measurement in earthquakes. It could be used to predict the intensity of the earthquake and areas that could be affected.

3) In surveying: Surveyors also use absolute locations to make maps and determine property boundary.

All the satellites broadcast at the same frequency 1.57542 GHZ (L1 signal) and 1.2276 GHZ (L2 signal).

NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Navigation systems, usually electronic systems, which are entirely on board a vehicle or vessel, help provide information on hazards or obstacles. This information is used to prevent hazards from occurring, thereby promoting the sustainability of water resources, as the hazard is prevented.

SATELLITE OBSERVATION

Earth observation satellites are used specifically to observe the Earth from orbit. While they are similar to reconnaissance, they are intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, map-making and meteorology. The synoptic view provided by satellite imagery offers technologically the most appropriate method for quick and reliable mapping and monitoring of various natural resources both in space and time domain. Remote sensing is an application of satellite observation.

Fig.1 Nigersat-1 and its parabolic dish. Source: Salami (2006)

A weather satellite is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate on Earth. These meteorological satellites see more than clouds and cloud systems, including city lights, fires, effects of population, sand and dust storms, boundaries of ocean current, energy flow sets and other types of environmental information. For instance, weather satellites helped in monitoring the volcanic ash cloud from Mount St. Helens, and activities from other volcanoes such as Mount Etna. Smoke from fires in western U.S. states such as Colorado and Utah have also been monitored, ensuring sustainability of resources. Some Earth observation satellites include Land Sat 1, Jason 1, Terra (EOS AM-1), GOESS 9, NOAA-15, Meteor 1 series, TIROS-1, and Niger Sat 1, 2.

REMOTE SENSING

Remote sensing is the acquisition of information without making physical contact with the object being observed. It uses propagated signals such as electromagnetic radiation emitted from aircraft or satellites. Its light defection and ranging is used to detect and measure the concentration of various chemicals in the atmosphere. Its hyper spectral imaging is used in mineralogy, biology, defense and environmental measurements as it produces images over a contiguous spectral range. The Doppler radar is used to monitor speed limits in enhanced meteorological collections of wind speed within weather systems. It also uses active and passive sensors.

Remote sensing is used to follow-up on and monitor at-risk areas in the long term to defer desertification factors. It also helps support decision makers in defining relevant measures of environmental management, and to assess their impacts. It makes possible the collection of data from dangerous and inaccessible areas. It monitors deforestation in places like the Amazon Basin, glacial features in Arctic and Antarctic regions and depth sounding of coastal and ocean depths. The process of remote sensing is also useful in city planning, archeological investigations, military observations and geomorphologic surveying. It has many roles in disaster management, from risk management and vulnerability analysis, to early warning to damage assessment. It can be used to forecast drought, monitor floods, detect volcano activity, map fires, and facilitate emergency relief and monitor storms like cyclones.

ROLES OF SATELLITE OBSERVATION IN ENSURING GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY

The data from Earth observation satellites can contribute to world sustainability by providing information, measurements and quantifications of natural or artificial phenomena. Change detection through repeating satellite observation over various temporal and spatial scales offers the most economical means of assessing environmental impact of developmental processes; monitoring bio-species diversity of an ecosystem and evolution of appropriate action plans for sustainable development. It also helps to ensure appropriate steps are taken to deal with global environmental issues such as climate change and stratospheric ozone destruction. The roles it plays are:

1) Monitoring of oil spillage: Scientists have used the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer to detect the oil slick, which is often hidden in natural color imagery. Scientists can custom tune the 36 spectral bands on the instrument to reveal the extent and trajectory of the slick. After the explosion of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, ESA’S Envisat satellite as well as other SAR satellites was continuously providing Radar imagery of the oil spilling, using its Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) and medium resolution imaging spectrometer. In general, radar instruments are especially suited for detecting oil spills and can work day and night, see through clouds (unlike optical sensors) and are particularly sensitive to the smaller water surface caused by the oil. Monitoring oil spillage helps to make the world more sustainable as it prevents the destruction of certain ecosystems and the wasting of the resource. The Nigerian Sat-1 can also help monitor the perennial problem of oil pipeline vandalizing, and could assist in combating and managing oil spill incidents.

2) Helps to monitor global warming: Satellite observation systems could be used in monitoring green house gases on global bases. If sustainability is to be attained in our world today, then the issue of global warming must be addressed, and satellite observation is of great use here. It promotes the understanding of current climatic conditions. Green house gases observing satellite ‘’IBUKI’’ (GOSAT) is the first satellite used to observe green house gases and changes they cause. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the satellite from the island of Tanegashima in southern Japan. Using high precision sensors, IBUKI can measure from outer space the concentration of green house gases throughout almost the entire surface of the Earth. The data obtained is used to determine the emission, transportation and absorption of these gases with a view of contributing to the control of global warming.

3) Tracking Bio-diversity and wildlife trends: The world can be more sustainable when biodiversity and wildlife are conserved. Satellite observations could be used to promote the understanding of biodiversity and also monitor the trends. It monitors the land based flora and marine phytoplankton. Weather satellites measure sea surface, thereby determining what organisms will survive. Alerts on downward trends of wildlife could be given as a result of data obtained from satellite observation, thereby promoting sustainability.

4) Observation of carbon cycle: Using carbon cycle observation stations, stations with carbon flux monitoring towers, an ecosystem observation network can be constructed to learn about the effects of carbon cycles and disruption of ecosystems. Therefore creating awareness and helping promote sustainability.

5) Monitoring of water resources: SAR imagery can be used to map and monitor superficial and underground water resources. It has been used in arid and semi-arid regions in Africa. SAR data are suitable for mapping water bodies, as the signals are sensitive to moisture and to surface moisture. The mapping and monitoring of water bodies and wetlands is based on satellite data. It aims at mapping mares or open water surfaces as areas of ground water recharge and surface water resources, Thereby sustaining water resources.

6) Observation of stratospheric transport: Satellite observation can be used to monitor the distribution of substances. It also identifies the scope of human-induced pollution, the trends in persistent pollutants, aerosols and acidic pollutants transported over large distances. Thereby providing data for constant monitoring of climatic change as the ozone is also observed.

7) Monitoring and responding to disasters: Satellite observation is also used to monitor natural disasters such as forest fires, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis. The Moderate Resolution Imaging spectroradiometer aboard the Terra satellite can detect thermal hot spots associated with wild fires, volcanoes and industrial hot spots. Nigeria Sat-2 monitors disaster prone areas like the Sahara, which experiences severe drought in dry seasons. It also acquired more than 20 images each of Asian Tsunami disaster affected areas as large as 300 kilometers by 150 kilometers. CryoSat-2 measures polar thickness, and reduces the impact of disasters. The data acquired promotes sustainability in our world.

8 ) Managing of natural resources: Resources such as energy, fresh water and agriculture are managed properly as a result of the data acquired from satellite observation. Artificial satellites could also observe levels of precipitation, soil water content and levels of water vapor. Deforestation is monitored, as is crop growth. With the collected information, laws promoting sustainability of agricultural resources can be formed.

CONCLUSION

If properly used, data acquired from satellite observation can indeed help build a more sustainable world. Improvement on terrestrial observation networks can help improve the technology. Satellite observation is applied in mapping, environmental monitoring and meteorology. The world cannot be sustainable without checking the trends of biodiversity, rate of logging in our forests and level of ozone depletion. This paper has given us some of the areas in which satellite observation can be applied to promote a more sustainable world.

REFERENCES

Matt Ball (2010) retrieved from www.vector1media.com on 29/11/2011.

R.R. Nagaland & Satish .C. Jaynanthi, retrieved from www.scidev.net on 25/11/2011

Salami.A.T (ed.)(2006)Imperatives of Space Technology for sustainable forest Management in Nigeria, www.spaceloauife.net.

www.athenaglobal.com

www.gmes.info

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University

The bright azure sky turned gray and the wind started to blow pitilessly. The rain fell heavily as if casting all its strength in city streets and mountains. Soon, water started to rise at an unexpected rate and houses were submerged in the catastrophic flood. Murky strong water went gushing as people were trying their best toward what was before a highway. The depth rose to eight feet and some were swept away by the raging flood, a stampede of mud and water.

Some people gazed with grief toward their homes while clinging to a floating tree. The evening was so sad. Cries for help were everywhere but the water was more than 13-feet-deep and the current was even stronger. Exhausted, hungry and sleepless, everyone struggled to survive. It would have been an ordinary day, a rainy weather that could be enjoyed by everyone as it refreshed the earth. But it was different, the misery and tears that the catastrophe caused will always be remembered as a day to act responsibly and never let it happen again.

In many parts of the world, people are experiencing rapid challenges in the environment, an imminent reality we cannot escape.

Challenges toward Sustainable Development

The 20th century is marked by profound development. The chiliads of gazing and wondering at the vast skies ended as humans traveled into space and made every part of the globe accessible. It took less than 40 years for computers to evolve from large, room filling, standalone units to extremely powerful handheld devices with wireless connections to a worldwide network of other such devices. Technology bridged man to elicit himself to exceed what he has now, and to reach satisfaction for his interminable demand for a better life.

In our unrelenting quest for advancement, severe irreversible challenges to the very existence of life have also emerged. Pollution of the air, land and water is a critical issue everywhere. The glorious biodiversity of our planet has been diminished as thousands of species are being eliminated at an unprecedented rate. The climate has warmed significantly, causing the rapid loss of polar ice and ever-more-violent weather events.

The global population has reached as high as 7 billion, and will continue to increase, with most new births in devastatingly poor nations. At present, the United Nations estimates 1.2 billion people struggle, living on less than $1 per day. More than 800 million people are malnourished, and 500 million are experiencing water shortages around the world. With overpopulation, managing limited resources takes a heavy toll on the Earth’s ecological wealth. Impoverished people are usually forced to destroy their environment to uplift their quality of life. While some companies and individuals continue to exploit and cut corners in order to augment profits, all that results is pollution and reckless management of natural resources.

We can no longer turn a blind eye to urgent sustainable development to rise to these challenges. To secure our future and our posterity, we need to create a sustainable world in which human needs are met without compromising natural systems. At the crux of sustainable development is the responsible management of Earth’s resources through the promotion of quality education, informed consumption, conservation initiatives and employment of Earth Observation.

What is Earth Observation?

The term ‘Earth Observation’ (EO) refers to the application of in situ and remote sensing measuring technologies to study the Earth’s environment and the effects of human activities. This includes measuring technologies and platforms, owned and operated by a variety of entities, from research institutions to public authorities, to international organizations and private commercial interests.

For more than half a century, since the launch of Sputnik I in 1957, Earth Observation satellites have been monitoring our global environment, revealing its fascinating beauty while, at the same time, demonstrating its inherent fragility and exposure to rapidly growing human-induced stresses. Satellites enabled humans to explore the solar system and the rest of the universe, to clearly view many objects and phenomena that are better observed from a space perspective, and to use for human benefit the resources and attributes of the space environment. The unique view from space has given us an improved understanding of the Earth, which is essential to predict, adapt and mitigate the expected global challenges and their impacts on human civilization.

Significance of Earth Observation

The significance of Earth observations in various sectors worldwide is apparent. The data from EO satellites contribute to sustainable development by providing information, measurements and quantification of natural and artificial phenomena. The synoptic view provided by the satellite imagery offers technologically the most appropriate method for quick and reliable mapping and monitoring of Earth’s resources. Change detection through repetitive satellite remote sensing over various temporal and spatial scales provides the most economical means of assessing the environmental impact of the developmental processes, monitoring of bio-species diversity of an ecosystem, and evolution of appropriate plans for sustainable development.

Earth Observation data and derived information are essential inputs to improve human understanding on nature’s worth. EO contributes to sound policy decisions in international society by providing scientific information necessary for informed global environmental decision-making and for monitoring our progress on all geographical scales as we explore new development paths aimed at sustainable management of the planet.

Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human-induced disasters

Taking a global view of present conditions reveals mankind is facing serious problems that may threaten its existence. According to figures from the UN, natural hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, monsoons, landslides, floods and inundations, as well as human-induced disasters, killed some 500,000 people and caused as much as $985 billion in property damage during the 1990s. As human populations and infrastructures continue to grow and spread out, the possibility of more complex disasters increases.

With the potential to frame an entire city in a single image, EO is useful for town planners attempting to manage the growth of urban settlements and minimizing susceptibility to catastrophes. While no one believes disaster-related losses can be completely eliminated, Earth Observation improves our ability to forecast, monitor, and respond to disasters, therefore greatly reducing harm to people, property and ecosystems. When tragedy does strike, reliable and efficient humanitarian aid and security operations can be designed with the help of EO data.

Understanding environmental factors affecting human health and well-being

Continued improvements in quality of life and human longevity require an understanding of a complex array of environmental factors. Around the world, significant differences continue to exist in the health and well-being of peoples in various regions and countries. While one in five people still lack regular access to clean drinking water, a rapidly increasing population is creating new and unforeseen stresses with serious health implications.

EO contributes significantly to improving human health, linking a variety of tools and technologies to provide better and more complete data on exposure factors such as air and water contaminants, pathogens and ultraviolet radiation; nutritional factors such as availability and safety of food; extreme weather events; and population stress indicators, such as noise.

Improving management of energy resources

In every nation, energy is a keystone of economic and social policy. The energy sector encompasses a wide range of industrial activities including energy resources exploration, extraction and production, transportation, power production and distribution. The optimal management of this global, diverse sector, worth an estimated trillion euros, which includes non-renewable resources, such as coal and oil, as well as renewable resources, including wind and solar power, is of critical concern to all countries and governments. According to estimates, global primary energy demand is set to increase by about 60 percent over the next 30 years, with two-thirds of the increase occurring in the developing world, notably China and India.

In the energy sector, Earth Observation is used to detect new fossil fuel reserves, and as an aid in the environmentally responsible and equitable management of existing non-renewable and renewable energy resources. EO also supports better matching of energy supply and demand, reduction of risks to energy infrastructure, more accurate inventories of greenhouse gases and pollutants, and a better understanding of renewable energy potential.

Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating and adapting to climate variability and change

Studies by the World Health Organization have shown global warming is causing an estimated 154,000 deaths annually, with the rate expected to double by 2020. Societies and economies around the world depend on a predictable climate. Coping with the profound effects of climate variability and change requires a solid scientific understanding, based on accurate, reliable and adequate Earth Observation data.

The state of the climate is affected by a number of processes, including human activities. However, little is still known of the risks associated with the observed trend of global warming and the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events. By tracking the climate system and identifying causal factors, scientists can observe new trends, predict their effects, and define new adaptation and mitigation strategies. An enormous amount of human and technological capacity is now needed for the collection, management, quality control, exchange, archiving and utilization of observations from the atmosphere, oceans, and land and ice-covered regions. EO provides governments and the private sector with ready access to reliable data on past, present and future climate conditions, allowing informed decision-making on matters of socio-economic importance.

Improving water resource management through better understanding of the water cycle

According to the UN, at any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Each year, 3.575 million people die from water-related diseases. Reliable supplies of fresh water are an essential ingredient for human prosperity and health, and ecosystem functioning. In developing countries, water limitations are a major contributing factor to poverty and human misery. Food security, well-being and economic and political stability all depend on water supply.

Today, humans actively manage about 30 percent of the world’s run-off in the inhabited regions of the globe. Such wide-scale management of rivers and groundwater has resulted in profound ecological changes. Meanwhile, our ability to monitor the water cycle is inadequate, and is unable to elucidate long-term trends and important aspects of surface and groundwater quality.

The global water cycle – the transport and distribution of large amounts of water and its phase changes from liquid to solid to gaseous states – is one of the most important features of the Earth’s environmental system. EO provides an improved and more reactive water cycle monitoring system, making an inventory of and evaluating existing plans and data needs, developing action plans to address these needs, and facilitating the research and development of new applications for water quality and groundwater monitoring.

Improving weather information, forecasting and warning

Each year, thousands of lives are lost and billions of dollars in property damage is caused by hazardous weather as the result of an inability to forecast reliably and warn appropriate decision-makers and citizens.

Worldwide, social and economic sectors, including agriculture, energy distribution, construction, transportation, aviation, finance, tourism, public health, ecosystems and biodiversity, are directly affected by temperature, precipitation, wind, and other weather parameters. Earth Observation data provides improved and timely weather forecasts to maximize productivity and reduce costs.

Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems

Ecosystems are the basis of, and necessary condition, for all life on Earth. They are also the core of all natural resource industries including agriculture, forestry, pastoralism and wild-harvest fisheries. EO provides strong support for these industries, improving our understanding of resource production potentials and their limits.

People derive from ecosystems numerous benefits such as food, water, fiber and timber, energy, soil fertility and detoxification of waste. Ecosystems are essential for human existence, and their total economic value is difficult to assess. Today, the ability of ecosystems to support diverse and abundant life forms, and to supply ecosystem services, is under pressure. Various analyses have shown that even partial damage to the ecosystems could significantly affect the condition of hundreds of millions of people. EO data provides an accurate description and assessment of current conditions and trends in various ecosystems, including the pressures and impacts affecting them.

Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification

Twenty five percent of Earth’s land is threatened by desertification, according to the UN. The livelihoods of more than one billion people in more than 100 countries are also jeopardized as farming and grazing land becomes less productive. Many people in the world are chronically exposed to hunger and malnutrition. Most of these people live in developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. One of the primary benefits of EO is its crucial role in the international fight against hunger and poverty.

Ensuring proper land use is crucial for the sustainable management of urban and rural areas. Today, land must be multifunctional to satisfy an ever-increasing variety of societal demands, including resource conservation, buffering, recreation and tourism, provision of employment opportunities, social welfare, and preservation of culture. EO provides a better understanding in the potential impacts of global change on agriculture, food systems and human well-being in order to combat future food crises.

Understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the totality and variety of life on Earth. It is necessary for the sustained delivery of the goods and services essential for human well-being. More generally, it is significant for the maintenance of all life on Earth. As such, the true scale of the importance of biodiversity is difficult to express. Unfortunately, biodiversity is now being reduced across the globe at an unprecedented rate, mainly due to human activities. According to current estimates, more than 25,000 species are driven to extinction every year. Some recent studies suggest that 30 percent of all natural species will be extinct by 2050 if the current trend of biodiversity loss continues in the next few decades. Recognizing the threat, countries around the world have signed treaties and conventions aimed at protecting biodiversity.

Earth Observation provides a wide variety of instruments, methodologies and processing tools for collecting and disseminating biodiversity data. Collating all of these tools together unifies disparate biodiversity monitoring systems and creates a platform for integrating biodiversity data with other types of information, then making it accessible to the widest possible array of end-users.

Conclusion

Earth Observation satellites have revolutionized how we view and understand our home planet, have helped address fundamental scientific questions, and have enabled a plethora of applications with important societal benefits.

The commitment to Earth Observation by people, nations and a variety of entities helps us achieve prosperity, security and sustainability. The next decades will likely build on this momentum, bringing more remarkable discoveries and an increased capability to predict Earth processes, and ultimately better protecting human lives and property.

Days after the calamity, people started to rebuild their houses and continued on their ordinary lives despite the unforgettable experience. Understanding the harsh reality the catastrophe has brought, people were now ready to change their habits, which have contributed to the degradation of Earth, and responsibly fulfill their roles toward sustainability.

For better or for worse, we are bonded to our environment. We will always struggle with the reality that if we do not find a way to maintain a peaceful coexistence with nature, then we do not deserve this place. With our heartfelt intention to make a better world, and through the help of EO satellites watching our progress, we are trudging the right path toward a sustainable future.

REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:

European Commission. 2005. EU Research for Sustainable Earth Observation: Sustainable Development, Global Changes and Ecosystems. Brussels.

Barrell, S. 2008. Australian Bureau of Meteorology: Observing the Earth for a Sustainable Future. Australia.

Mathieu P.P.; Coulson S. 2011. Earth Observation for Development: Mainstreaming Satellite-based Information into Sustainable Development and Financing Practices.

Committee on Scientific Accomplishments of Earth Observations from Space, National Research Council 2007. Earth Observations from Space: The First 50 Years of Scientific Achievements.

United Nations. 2006. Human Development Report

World Health Organization. 2008. Safer Water, Better Health, Costs, Benefits and Sustainability of Interventions to Protect and Promote Health.

http://go.worldbank.org/Z6WI0Y80L0

http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEM3822VQUD_index_0.html

http://www.grs.wur.nl/UK/Research/Remote+sensing+science/

http://www.grs.wur.nl/UK/Research/Global%20context%20and%20societal%20benefits/

North South University

Abstract

Sustainability is defined as the ability to endure and to remain productive. It includes the optimal management of resources. Many factors contribute to sustainability. Earth observation is one of them. Unfortunately, it has not received as much attention as it deserves.

Introduction

Earth observation is the process of collecting information about the Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems. While “Earth observation” may seem like a new term to many, it is actually an everyday affair for many of us – especially philanthropic and curious individuals eager to learn more about the environment, make it sustainable for themselves, and to allow future inheritors to bask in Earth’s beauty. For instance, when a nature lover jots down notes on his or her observations of flora and fauna, it is indeed a simple form of Earth observation. Of course, due to the advancement of technology, Earth observation can take complex forms, such as measurements using seismometer and radar images from Earth observation satellites, which are for non-military purposes, allowing the observation from orbit. Examples of such satellites are NASA’s TIMED and European Space Agency’s ENVISAT. The aforementioned forms of Earth observation provide raw data. On the other hand, other sophisticated forms of Earth observation, such as predictive maps and models, are based on processed information and are highly required for making decisions regarding issues such as emergency evacuation, urgent response to natural disasters, and budget allocation for disaster management.

Users of Earth observation satellites’ images Source: http://eijournal.com/uncategorized/who-uses-landsat-satellite-imagery

Relationship between Earth Observations and Sustainability of the Earth

Bird watching, a simple form of Earth observation, can provide insight into patterns of migration of birds, fragility of the ecosystem, population density of birds, protection of birds that are at the verge of extinction, and climate changes. Recreational Earth observations, such as bird watching, can lead to appreciation of nature by common citizens, even those who lack a formal education or even initial interest in environmental science. Travel writer Jeanine Barone predicted, “As the Maltese children develop an appreciation for nature, perhaps this tradition of shooting and trapping birds illegally will become a thing of the past.” ¹ The British Trust for Ornithology and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology conduct many projects of bird watching. The importance of bird watching in preserving the ecosystem has led to numerous associations and societies, such as the American Birding Association, the National Audubon Society, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Apart from the sustainability of the Earth, bird watching provides opportunities for entrepreneurship and consequent economic growth in the tourism sector. Guided tours can become major businesses, which in turn can lay emphasis on the need for conservation and can even form a strong lobby favoring conservation. Bird watching also provides a means of networking, which can transform into long-lasting relationships, partnerships, and cooperation in other ventures – all of which are necessary for building the nation collectively. For instance, the Disabled Birders Association ensures that individuals with disability can share in the joys of a common hobby. This can eventually lead to a powerful union – similar to a labor union –, which can collectively bargain for fair wages and equal opportunities for the disabled. On a lighter note, Mel White, an author and a long-time contributor to National Geographic, wrote: “I met my wife on a bird-watching trip.”²

If you think birds are taking away the prize for contributing to sustainability of the Earth, think again and consider instances of butterfly-watching, another form of Earth observation. Although not as popular as bird watching, it is still helpful in determining the factors that threaten or favour the ecosystem. Earth observations involving animals and birds are critical to the sustainability of the Earth. “Animals may sense chemical changes in groundwater that occur when an earthquake is about to strike. Animal behaviour could be incorporated into earthquake forecasting. There have been reports throughout history of reptiles, amphibians and fish behaving in unusual ways just before an earthquake struck.”³

Arctic exploration Source: http://www.accessnoaa.noaa.gov/nov02/developing.html

A complex form of Earth observation is space exploration. With the help of Earth observation satellites, the Disaster Monitoring Constellation provides information on disaster relief. QuickBird is a high-resolution Earth observation satellite that can easily map buildings and other infrastructure. Therefore, it can reveal much-needed information for city planning. Aqua is a satellite that studies precipitation, evaporation, and the hydrological cycle. Aura is a satellite that studies the Earth’s ozone layer, air quality, and climate. By observing the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory can provide great insight into global warming and the sustainability of Earth. The data from this satellite enables people to understand the factors, such as human activities, which contribute to the abundance and distribution of greenhouse gases. It also allows scientists to make better predictions about climate change. The Landsat program consists of satellites that glean information on agricultural and forestry resources, environmental pollution, and mineral resources. European Space Agency’s ENVISAT (environmental satellite)’s objective is to improve environmental studies by providing information on ozone depletion, pollution, humidity, agriculture, and natural hazards. India’s Oceansat-2 is dedicated to researching aerosol content in the atmosphere and suspended sediments in the water along the coastal regions. As a result, it has the potential to identify air and water pollution. Besides contributing to the sustainability of the Earth, space exploration paves the way for a flourishing space tourism industry for recreational or entrepreneurial purposes. Other similar types of Earth observations are amateur radio and amateur astronomy. These assist in data acquisition relevant to the sustainability of the Earth, exchange of information, and, particularly in case of radio, emergency communication for public safety during a fire for instance.

QuickBird – an Earth observation satellite Source: http://www.eoportal.org/directory/pres_QuickBird2.html

Moreover, there is a plethora of projects that encourage the participation of the general public in Earth observations. World Water Monitoring Day is dedicated to such an initiative. It provokes the public to actually think about the water quality, and act responsibly thereafter, by allowing individuals to perform basic monitoring of local bodies of water. NASA’s ClickWorkers is a small experimental project that allows public volunteers to perform scientific tasks. Similar Internet-based projects involving the public are SETI@home, MilkyWay@home, Einstein@home, Stardust@home, Galaxy Zoo, and Zooniverse. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a network of volunteers who record the daily readings of precipitation and report them online or via phone.

Diagram showing how geology could contribute to the nine societal benefit areas of the GEOSS work plan. New proposed tasks are in red. Source: http://www.earthobservations.org/art_009_002.shtml

On the Nov. 19, 2011, Dr. Peter Kim Streatfield, Head of Health and Demographic Surveillance Unit of Public Health Sciences Division, ICDDR,B mentioned in his speech at the South Asian Youth Environmental Meet 2011, the climate models in Bangladesh are not very good at predicting cloud formation and rainfall. He emphasized on more research and data acquisition for a sustainable Bangladesh. “Due to the lack of proper ocean observing system, 2012 might be the centenary of the sinking Titanic of the low lands of Bangladesh. The use of observations and numerical models can be crucial to understanding the subtle sea-level changes occurring in that region.”¹⁰ Furthermore, as Dr. Binoy Barman wrote: “The era of space-faring knocks at the door when Bangladesh is slumbering. People of Bangladesh are not that much science-oriented, I should say. The scientific community of Bangladesh has also failed to come forward with any plan for space exploration. We regrettably lack people like A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, a scientist-turned-president, who was instrumental in the moon exploration project of India, and Madhavan Nair, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, who played a key role in rocket design. When will we get that scientific vision and political wisdom that will lift us to the height of Heavens?”¹¹ For bird watching, although Botanical Garden in Bangladesh is famous, “the garden authority has done little to preserve or improve its bird habitats.”¹² Earth observation is yet to be popular in Bangladesh, especially among the youth. Some of the reasons for this are a lack of awareness that Earth observation includes simple, regular activities, such as bird watching, and that it is so critical to the sustainability of the Earth. Also at work are a lack of funds, technology, and expertise to carry out Earth observations, and certain religious interpretations that shun space exploration.

Botanical Garden of Bangladesh Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

In conclusion, there might not be many Earth observations taking place in Bangladesh, but the citizens of Bangladesh are definitely in awe of nature and are keen to work for the sustainability of the Earth. The key is to raise awareness about the relationship between Earth observations and the sustainability of the Earth, and to harness the love for nature to conduct more Earth observations. I am hopeful my participation in a competition – the theme of which is Earth observation and sustainability – will raise much awareness in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

Some forms of Earth observation face severe criticism. Bird watchers must avoid stressing birds through their photography, destroying nests and trespassing into private property. Cave explorers must avoid polluting caves where water flows. They must also avoid disturbing hibernating bats. Since caves are fragile, a single touch can erode the forming deposits of minerals. Desert exploration poses a threat to the life of the explorers due to the harsh conditions of deserts. Political instability and government policies can hamper mineral exploration. In some cases, mineral exploration can become aggressive, to smuggle minerals or to discover resources in remote but protected sites, without any respect to the environmental and social effects. Mineral exploration also requires miners to work in poorly ventilated, hazardous conditions. There is a major risk of accidents and astronaut fatalities during space exploration. Apart from that, space exploration is often criticized for its enormous cost. “Behind space exploration lies the philosophy of world domination. All the wealthy countries, even the emerging ones, are sending a space vehicle to the moon. The dictum that one who controls space controls the world still persists.”¹⁶

Despite these criticisms, Earth observations are significantly linked to the sustainability of the Earth, which in turn affects the social and economic well being of a nation by creating opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship, recreation, networking, cultural exchange and discovery of resources. Academic institutions, governments, private businesses, non-profit organizations, scientists and many others use data from Earth observations. Therefore, the benefits far outweigh the costs.

[1] Jeanine Barone. (2010, October). For the Birds: Malta. National Geographic. [Online]. Available: http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2010/10/26/edit_for_the_birds_malta/

[2] Mel White. (2011, October). The Big Year: A Birder’s View. National Geographic. [Online]. Available: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/20/the-big-year-a-birders-view/

[3] BBC Online. (2011, December). Animals predict quakes. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=212594

[4] Retrieved: http://exploration.nationalgeographic.com/expedition

[5] Benjamin Franklin. (1785). Sundry Maritime Observations. NOAA Ocean Explorer. [Online]. Available: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/library/readings/gulf/gulf.html

[6] Bryan Smith. (2010, July). Kamchatka Whitewater Expedition: Source-to-Sea Kayaking in Wildest Russia. National Geographic. [Online]. Available: http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/kamchatka-expedition/

[7] Retrieved: http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/index_en.cfm?section=geo&pg=eo-summits

[8] Dr. A. Bombelli. (2011, December). The GEO Global Carbon Observation and Analysis System. Group on Earth Observations. [Online]. Available: http://www.earthobservations.org/index.shtml

[9] Giovanni Rum. (2011, December). GEO Initiatives in Forest Monitoring: from the Forest Carbon Tracking – FCT Task to the Global Forest Observations Initiative – GFOI. Group on Earth Observations. [Online]. Available: http://www.earthobservations.org/index.shtml

[10] Engr. Nomana Intekhab Hadi. (2011, July). Threats from the Bay. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=193827

[11] Dr. Binoy Barman. (2008). When will Bangladesh reach the moon? The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2008/11/01/reflections.htm

[12] Enam Ul Haque. (2010, April). Laughing in botanical hub after 12 years. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=134038

[13] Retrieved: http://www.doe-bd.org/projects.html

[14] Bss, Dhaka. (2008, August). Meghna to be model basin for flood forecasting, rainfall. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=49909

[15] Staff Correspondent. (2011, February). Protect birds from extinction. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=172916

[16] Dr. A. M. Choudhury. (2011, March). Self-sufficiency in rice: A continuing challenge. The Daily Star. [Online]. Available: http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2011/anniversary/part4/pg12.htm

University of Michigan

On December 7, 1972 – at 5:39am EST to be exact – astronauts on the Apollo 17 mission took a photograph that transformed how we saw our home, Earth. This was the first time we saw a planet, our planet. Fast-forward 50 years and technology has once again provided us with a transformative vision. With current and projected capabilities in Earth observation, the possibility of knowing our planet, in real time even, is not an impossible dream, but a rather straightforward one. The real challenge lies in what we do with this knowledge, how we apply it and to what end. Knowledge is transformative. The so-called Blue Marble image of 1972 was pivotal in driving awareness during early years of environmental activism. Looking ahead, the most exciting, not to mention crucial, transformation Earth observation can give us is to not only develop our knowledge of the Earth, but to help us cultivate an identity and conscience that encompasses the entire globe. Only then will we be truly moving toward a more sustainable world.

Knowledge is not neutral

For the title of this essay I have borrowed from James C. Scott’s seminal critique on high modernism, “Seeing Like a State.” One of his theses is that 19th century technological advances, including those in the production of statistical knowledge, allowed the “discovery of society as a reified object,”¹ by the state, which made society “an object that the state might manage and transform with a view toward perfecting it.”² Such a view on society and ambition of molding it may seem naïve with today’s post- modern hindsight. But Scott is right to caution the enthusiasm for technology that fuelled modernism’s hubris is very much present today, and I would like to draw a parallel caution toward how we develop and use Earth observation technologies going forward. Knowledge is inherently value-laden; what values do we want to frame our knowledge of Earth?

Can we have sustainability without equity?

Earth observation technologies have already allowed us to gather, analyze and share information about the Earth with unprecedented accuracy, breadth and timeliness. With the maturing of the consumer Internet and the advent of the Industrial Internet, the promise of what technology entrepreneur Larry Smarr calls “the sensor-aware planetary computer,” is not far off.³ The imperative driving recent investments thus far has been the quest for efficiency, especially energy efficiency. While this is central to tackling our environmental challenges – and in a way that could meet economic ones also – it risks eclipsing the distributional question of whose efficiency? Scott Campbell captured this succinctly with his “Planner’s Triangle”: in striving for sustainable development, we encounter the three conflicting priorities of environmental protection (resource efficiency), economic growth, and social justice.⁴ Such conflicts are ever present; from Occupy Wall Street to COP17, questions of equity and distribution are both invigorating and stymieing negotiations, discourse and the political process. We cannot move toward a more sustainable world without addressing them.

We have but one Earth

And this is why I am hopeful for what continued development of Earth observation technologies can bring. It will bring knowledge that is global; we can know our entire planet better. But in order to monitor and understand the full effects of human activity we will be forced to cross borders and see the Earth and mankind, holistically, as one. Global warming is a crisis we all face. Pollutants, be they in the air or water, recognize no boundaries. Choices we make in our everyday lives have an impact on others that we must be made aware of, and have factored into our decision-making. And we must find ways to work together.

In our bid to live sustainably, knowing is not enough. We cannot simply place our faith in science and technology to find our way out of our environmental challenges. To succeed, we need to develop a collective respect for the planet and all who inhabit it. Fortunately, the potential is here with Earth observation technologies to do just that, to develop both global consciousness and a global conscience.

¹ Scott, James C.. Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998. p. 91

² Ibid. p. 92


³ Lohr, Steve. (2011, December 17). The Internet gets Physical. The New York Times.

⁴ Campbell, Scott. “Green Cities, Growing Cities, Just Cities? Urban Planning and the Contradictions of Sustainable Development,” Journal of the American Planning Association, 62 (3) (Summer 1996), p. 296- 312

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Poster board signs oscillate in a sea of citizens flooding city hall’s block. Slogans range from “Clean jobs now!” in black and white markers, to “Green Peace,” artfully painted on a canvas. The assembly ranges from teenagers holding Sierra Club signs, to old men with leathered and tanned skin in jeans and steel-toed boots standing silently. There is great diversity in environmental activism, yet this group represents a minority in the greater populace. Ensuring a sustainable future will require the majority of people to transform their current lifestyles. Communities act as the cocoons to metamorphose individuals into ecological citizens with strong beliefs rooted in sustainable justice and environmental stewardship.

Communities are groups of individuals who share common interests, and tend to impact each individual in a range of ways. Communities range in size and impact on their members. Family is the most intimate community, as it is the first community to which individuals are introduced. Children continuously learn in a family. Ethical behaviors are molded, which continue to affect children as they transform into adults (Aftandilian). Another kind of community is an adult’s professional workplace. Companies have the ability to influence employees’ personal lifestyles indirectly. It is through the actions and missions of companies that many employees are influenced (Andersson 299). Companies reach thousands of people, and can positively influence people globally. These two types of communities are distinctively different from one another. Families concentrate on the microcosm, in the form of a routine lifestyle of a small group of individuals in a small location, while companies focus on worldwide changes of a variety of cultures. Both of these communities are necessary to create and implement changes globally.

On a larger scale of community is the concept of a citizen. Webster’s dictionary defines citizenship as, “the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen” (Citizenship). This broad definition allows for an array of interpretations. The fundamental identification of a citizen is difficult to accomplish without vagueness, due to the diversity of the word’s body. A citizen can take on many forms, including active, passive, conservative, liberal, and virtue holding (Dobson 30). As Bryan Turner, a scholar on citizenship, states in his 1990 paper, “A conservative view of citizenship (as passive and private) contrasts with a more revolutionary idea of active and public citizenship,” (qtd. in Dobson 36). To elucidate the meaning of citizenship, “post-cosmopolitan” citizenship will be the basis definition of what will be termed as a citizen (Dobson 32).

Post-cosmopolitan citizenship is an emerging form within liberal societies. One of its defining characteristics includes a sense of non-contractual duty and responsibility that is established within the citizen (Dobson 32). The characterization of “non-contractual” implies the citizen feels it is a duty, regardless of law, to act in a just manner. In addition, the citizen fulfills his or her responsibilities in both public and private sectors (Dobson 32). This ranges from the citizens’ work places to their homes. Another characteristic emerges, which is described as the feminine virtue, which includes altruism (Dobson 32). According to Shafir, a scholar on citizenship, “…the public sphere [has been viewed] as transcendent, rational, and ultimately masculine… [whereas,] the private sphere [has been viewed] as the feminine realm of emotions…,”(qtd. in Dobson 52). A last defining characteristic of a post-cosmopolitan citizen is his or her ability to view their duties as non-discriminatory and non-territorial (Dobson 75). Post-cosmopolitan citizenship contains the key in connecting people globally.

Similarly, sustainability is a practice that unites citizens of the world. “Sustainability has come to the forefront in the wake of increased global understanding that economics, environmental, health and human well-being are interconnected and interdependent,” (Environmental Stewardship 1). This global understanding of interconnectedness will create the opportunity for people to view themselves as global citizens. It will be understood that problems of one country do not end at its borders, but extend themselves into a complex relationship of the environment and human development. People across the world will view themselves as citizens belonging to a larger body, whose binding characteristic is the universal practice of sustainability.

These citizens will be identified as ecological citizens. This kind of citizenship is an environmental form of post-cosmopolitan citizenship. “Ecological citizenship deals in the currency of non-contractual responsibility, it inhabits the private as well as the public sphere, it refers to the source rather than the nature of responsibility to determine what count as citizenship virtues, it works with the language of virtue, and it is explicitly non-territorial,” (Dobson 89). The word ecological is rooted in ecosystem. An ecological citizen will also view themselves as a part of the ecosystem, enforcing the thought that humans are directly connected with nature and its preservation.

This idea of preservation is fundamental in the principle of sustainable justice. In order to understand sustainable justice, one must believe people of the future have the rights people of today are entitled to. “If it is a requirement of justice to meet the conditions necessary for all to have the opportunity to realize their basic rights to life, then this applies in principle as much to the future as it does now,” (Dower 411). Allowing future generations the resources the present generation has, is the underlying concept of sustainable justice.

Current citizens need to provide justice for future generations, and in doing so, must assume duty for the Earth; current citizens must become environmental stewards of the world. “Environmental stewardship is the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment,” (E.P.A.). This stewardship requires an altruistic behavior found in ecological citizens. Obligation extends from one’s actions to the entire community’s effect on the environmental quality.

Communities contain a group of individuals who are interdependent on one another. Often, these relationships have levels of emotional connection. ‘Feminine’ virtue is a characteristic of ecological citizens. One study conducted by Allen and Meyer in 1990 clarifies the effectiveness of ‘feminine’ virtue as opposed to ‘masculine’ virtue. It examines two different kinds of commitment: Affective, which is described as one’s individual attachment toward, as well as identification and involvement with, a group, and continuance, which is described as one’s tendency to engage in consistent lines of activity because of the perceived costs of doing otherwise (Andersson 299). “Affective commitment was found to be positively related to altruistic behaviors,” (Andersson 299). This coincides with the causes of proenvironmentalism in individuals. “Proenvironmentalism [is viewed] as an ethical response indicative of a spiritual worldview, [resulting in] a New Ecological Paradigm [of] post-materialist or altruistic values…” (Andersson 296). These forming communities, ranging from families to corporations, allow for the development of ecological citizenship, sustainable justice and environmental stewardship.

Ecological citizenship can first be taught in the family, the smallest community. Many environmental activists, who may also be considered ecological citizens, report a family member influenced them at a young age.

In one such study, Louise Chawla of Kentucky State University, and her colleagues interviewed more than 50 adult men and women who were all committed to protecting the environment. She asked them what experiences had inspired them to care about the environment, and at what times in their lives those experiences occurred. More than 75 percent of the environmentalists Chawla interviewed identified “the experience of natural areas and the influence of family members who directed attention to the value of the environment” as the main reasons they cared about nature (Aftandilian).

Families reach all individuals, and hold the possibility of creating those environmental connections at young ages. This proves an effective method of reaching many individuals on a finite magnitude.

In addition to reaching children at a young age, it would also be beneficial to educate young women and mothers in ecological citizenship practices. Traditionally, women have been viewed as the care-takers of the household and in some cultures stay home to raise children. Informing current and future mothers leads to informing all parts of the family, by way of mothers teaching their families. Reaching mothers may pose a challenge, but if non-profit organizations or companies provide informational sessions to educate mothers, this challenge can be overcome. In addition to reaching mothers, providing opportunities for children to positively interact with their ecosystems also promotes ecological citizenship. These interactions can be visits or volunteering at nature reserves, wildlife rescue shelters or zoos (Aftandilian). Family life is the best setting for creating the highest impact on a micro-societal level, and establishes ecological citizenship.

Although families are effective at impacting their members, they remain limited in globally connecting a diverse community of citizens. In contrast, large corporations have the ability to reach thousands of people. If corporations promote environmental consciousness, its body will also adopt a similar awareness. As stated by Andersson, “By some virtue of their power and affection the planet, some scholars argue, multinational corporations must play a significant role in the advancement of global ecological ethics.” (295). Additionally, corporations address the global solution of sustainability without immediately dealing with the direct political aspects of different governing bodies. The effects of corporations prove to be effective. “Findings from a number of studies in the fields of organizations and the natural environment suggest that corporate values indicating commitment to ecological sustainability are an important factor in the employee enactment of environmental behaviors,” (Andersson 297). Ultimately, the mission of a corporation and its active participation in ecological citizenship transcends to its body of employees and participating members.

Environmental issues cannot be separated from social justice. There is an indissoluble relationship of the environment, obligation and citizenship that enables sustainable justice to be effectively implemented within communities (Smith 3). Families hold the obligation to act responsibly by practicing sustainable living. These include in most basic form, but are not limited to, sustainable housing, renewable energy sources, and recycling of material goods. These living conditions allow for future families to live a similar life. Establishing sustainable justice on a family level is easier to implement because an emotional level, or an affective commitment, is made within the family community. The idea families want future generations to have the opportunity for similar or better lives is the basic principle of sustainable justice.

Corporate organizations play major roles in executing sustainable practices which provide justice for its employees and resources. Corporations must use the “triple bottom line” approach in determining a profit, which includes the people, the planet and the monetary profit (Dower 403). Now, more than ever, a corporation has an obligation to maintain resources for future generations. In addition, workers must be given rights and reasonable working conditions.

Combining the elements of both family and corporate communities, Summa Institute aims at creating sustainable justice by starting with the education of children. Summa Institute’s main idea is the children who attend the institute will grow into healthy, engaged, compassionate and fulfilled adults. “Sustainable human relationships create mutual well being. It is then natural and inevitable that those who enjoy such relationships will extend sustainability to all aspects of their lives, inkling the larger community,” (Community at Summa). Summa Institute provides education and is family driven in bringing sustainable justice to its body members. It connects education and professional development with sustainable human relations. Summa Institute is an excellent example of how sustainable justice spreads in communities on both corporate and family levels.

In order to provide sustainable justice for the future, ecological citizens must act as environmental stewards of the Earth. “The diverse area of research into individual environmental concerns has demonstrated that people who are concerned about the future of the planet are more likely to engage in proenvironmental behaviors,” (Andersson 298). It is essential families become environmental stewards because they directly interact with nature through daily activities (Gill). An option for families to become environmental stewards would be restoration activities, “because they allow people to experience a form of reciprocity with a place: humans do something to help nature, and nature responds with restored beauty,” (Aftandilian).

In a similar fashion, corporations must also take the roles of being environmental stewards of the world. One corporation which exemplifies environmental stewardship actively is a pump-making company, Grundfos. Grundfos is a profitable company which fathers a community that teaches environmental stewardship to its members. Grundfos mission statement is, “managing corporate sustainability and responsibility at Grundfos is the act of making people across the world meets desired goals and objectives,” (Grundfos). The company’s promises are to create shared values of keeping sustainability first. Grundfos maintains sustainable resources, as well as proper justice for its workers (Grundfos). Grundfos is a lighthouse of how environmental stewardship is profitable and promotes the well being of its employees and the Earth.

One critique of environmentalism and citizenship is the energy and resources spent on creating a sustainable world could be used elsewhere to solve more immediate problems (Dobson 90). Undoubtedly, the economic collapse, peak oil, global water crisis, specie extinction, and rapid climate change are a few of the world’s most prevalent complications (Arlington Institute). Yet, all of these problems involve human relationships with the Earth and its diverse body of resources. It is the unsustainable use of resources such as water, oil and land that creates an imbalance in the world. If the people of the world held an ecological citizenship concerned with sustainable justice and environmental stewardship, the world would realize “what we are not now doing is sustaining a lot of the things which we need to sustain and see as desirable–peace, justice, prosperity, ecological integrity, species richness and diversity, non-polluted environments…,” (Dower 403). Humans have to stop what they are doing for the sake of peace and justice, as well as the environment.

To begin the transition into the New Ecological Paradigm, communities will act as the doorways for ecological citizens to grow and withhold strong beliefs rooted in sustainable justice and environmental stewardship. Individuals will affect families’ behavior in becoming more sustainable on a daily basis, while corporations will promote ecological citizenship because of the positive effects on the environment and its employees. Ensuring a sustainable future is essential to the well being of not only humans, but also to the Earth and all of its creatures.
 
Works Cited

Dobson, Andrew. Citizenship and the Environment. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003. Ebrary. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Gill, Seyfang. “Shopping for Sustainability: Can Sustainable Consumption Promote Ecological Citizenship.” GreenFILE. EBSCO, Apr. 2005. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.

Kasemir, Bernd, Jill Jager, Carlo C. Jaeger, and Matthew T. Gardner, eds. Public Participation in Sustainability Science. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2003. Ebrary. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Smith, Mark J., and Piya Pangsapa. Environment and Citizenship: Integrating Justice, Responsibility and Civic Engagement. London: Zed, 2008.Ebrary. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

Vitek, William, and Wes Jackson, eds. The Virtues of Ignorance: Complexity, Sustainability, and the Limits of Knowledge. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, 2008. Print.

Wilk, Richard. “Consumption Embedded in Culture and Language: Implications for Finding Sustainability.” Sustainability: Science, Practice & Policy. Vol. 6. Bloomington: Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, 2010. 38-48. GreenFILE. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.