The Earth is always changing. Powerful forces shape our air,
water and land, and will continue to transform our planet. In
1972, when the first public earth observation satellite was
launched, our Earth had 3.7 billion habitants. Today the figure
has almost doubled to over 7 billion people. Our ability to
forecast weather, climate, and natural hazards depends
critically on satellite-based observations. Our changing Earth
can be observed, measured and understood through Earth
observation from space. UNESCO’s space related activities aim to
bring the benefits of space technologies to developing Member
States. They are also designed to create awareness among Member
States by showing them, with a series of applications, the full
potential of space technologies for the well-being of humanity.
UNESCO space activities are mainly: - The Global Ocean Observing
System (GOOS), implemented by the International Oceanographic
Commission (UNESCO-IOC) - Earth Observation, through the Global
Earth Observation (GEO and GEOOS)