Happy Wednesday 👋

The intersection of space technology and climate science is becoming increasingly important in addressing global environmental challenges.

Improving climate models, identifying areas of deforestation, and tracking sea-level rise are just a few of the ways that space technology supports climate action.

And China has just raised the bar again by developing technology that can track greenhouse gas emissions from space … and in real-time. 

Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:

• How China is monitoring carbon and methane emissions in real-time 🌌
• A major clean energy milestone for Europe ☀️
• The first-of-its-kind geothermal project 🔥
• And more… 💚

🌌 China Unveils A Spaceborne Instrument That Can Monitor Carbon and Methane Emissions in Real-Time

1️⃣ The big picture: Hong Kong scientists have introduced a groundbreaking spaceborne instrument, the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO), capable of real-time monitoring of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. This marks the first Earth science experiment aboard China’s space station, with data benefiting global climate action. Installed on China’s Tiangong space station, the observatory will provide data on real-time insights into emissions sources, like power plants and landfills, and will help detect emissions hotspots.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: This collaboration between Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and China’s space program demonstrates the growing synergy between technological advancements in space and environmental science. Aligning with China’s ambitious carbon neutrality targets (2030 peak emissions and 2060 neutrality), as well as Hong Kong’s 2050 neutrality goal, this project highlights how technological innovation can drive sustainability.

3️⃣ What’s next: By monitoring carbon dioxide and methane emissions from space with high precision, it has the potential to transform how emissions data is collected and used for policy-making and environmental monitoring. By sharing its data with international research institutions, the initiative has the potential to benefit not only China and Hong Kong but also other countries globally in the fight against climate change.

📢 More Good News…

🧊 The new initiative to preserve the world’s glaciers:

• The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) has been declared for 2025, a global initiative co-facilitated by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 
• This year aims to focus attention on the preservation of glaciers, which are critical freshwater sources for over 2 billion people and hold around 70% of the world’s freshwater.
• World Glacier Day will be held on March 21, 2025 (coinciding with World Water Day), and the inaugural International Glacier Preservation Conference is scheduled for May in Tajikistan to bring together scientists, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss solutions and form partnerships.

☀️ A major clean energy milestone for Europe:

• In 2024, solar energy overtook coal as a major electricity source in the EU, a first for the region. The shift from coal to solar power in Europe is a significant milestone in the region’s transition to renewable energy.
• Almost half of Europe’s electricity generation (47%) came from renewables, with a notable reduction in fossil fuel use. Solar capacity has tripled in the past five years, contributing to the decline of coal and gas. 
• This trend aligns with the European Green Deal, which aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while combating climate change.

🔥 The first-of-its-kind geothermal project:

• A first-of-its-kind geothermal networking pilot program by US utility company Eversource is helping homeowners in Framingham, Massachusetts, use underground energy to heat and cool their homes.
• Eversource’s system in Framingham is the first shared geothermal network led by a gas utility in the US, connecting 37 homes and businesses plus a fire station.
• The success of this project could pave the way for networked geothermal heating as a scalable model for clean energy. Eversource has already received a grant from the US Department of Energy for future development, and nearly 30 utilities have expressed interest in similar geothermal business models.

🤝 Important Awareness Events At a Glance

✡️ January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day:

• International Holocaust Remembrance Day was officially proclaimed in November 2005 by the United Nations General Assembly to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust as well as counter racism and other forms of intolerance in modern society. 
• Since 2010, the UN has designated specific themes for each yearly commemoration, with past themes including “Children and the Holocaust” and “Memory, Dignity, and Justice”.

🏮 January 29, Chinese New Year: 

• This day marks the start of a 15-day festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese Calendar. 
• The festival also encourages people to reflect on their past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.

☮️ January 30, International School Day of Non-Violence and Peace: 

• This day is inspired by pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi and celebrated on the anniversary of his assassination. 
• The goal is to promote education inspired by a culture of peace to help children grow into critical global citizens committed to their rights and the rights of others.

Related: You can discover all the most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for January 2025 and for February 2025!

📜 These Days in History

📄 January 29, 1845: Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven” was published in The Evening Mirror, earning him national fame. 

January 30, 1882: Franklin D. Roosevelt was born. Roosevelt was the 32^nd President of the United States, who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.

💭 Quote of the Day

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

― Franklin Delano Roosevelt; 32^nd president of the United States

Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society!

Stay impactful 💚