UAE role urged in space science use

Abu Dhabi: The UAE can play an important role in efforts to monitor changes on the Earth from space and influence world leaders to take positive steps to protect the environment, the inaugural Global Space Technology Forum in Abu Dhabi was told on Tuesday.

Professor Dr Orhan Altan, President of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, told the forum science was winning the battle to persuade the global community of the need for positive action in the fight against climate change.

He said this was borne out of the decision by environment ministers from the G8 nations earlier this year to urge their leaders to set a global target to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Dr Altan, who addressed an audience of industry leaders on "the Value of Space in Environmental Monitoring" said the use of satellite remote sensing helps scientists learn how the global Earth system is changing, how the system responds to natural and human-induced changes, what the consequences of changes in the system for human civilisation are and how to predict future changes in the Earth system.

While he welcomed the "New Energy for America" programme put forward by us President-elect, Barack Obama, Dr Altan said this was only the first step, and the next important thing to look at is the implementation of the plan.

Ahmad Obaid Al Mansouri, Director General, Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, said: "Our UAE space programme is a pioneering initiative spearheaded by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology. The programme is building a platform for the UAE's quest for space science and technological advancement."