The bulk of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere each year comes from
fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) used in industrialized nations.
However, NASA scientists estimate that the burning of tropical forests
contributes about 30 percent of the total amount of carbon dioxide
released into the atmosphere on an annual basis. Increasing levels
of carbon dioxide is a primary cause of the greenhouse effect and
global climate change.
Scientists have determined that the global average surface temperature
increased 0.6 degrees Celsius over the last century. This small
increase in temperature could be a serious threat to our planet.
Many people are concerned that humans have been artificially raising
the Earth's temperature by increasing the concentration of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere. Not only do our factories, power plants,
and cars emit tons of carbon dioxide each year, we produce millions
of pounds of methane by allowing our trash to decompose in uncovered
landfills and by breeding large herds of cattle. Additionally,
our agricultural practice of using nitrogen-based fertilizers
releases excess amounts of nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.
Cumulatively, these greenhouse gases are contributing to steadily
rising global
temperatures and climate change.
On a global level, fires play an important role in climate change
since they emit both greenhouse gases and smoke
particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere. Remote sensing offers the most cost
effective means for long-term monitoring of fires and associated
aerosols.
When scientists integrate data from GOES with instruments flown
on Polar Operational Environmental Satellites
(POES), the result is a high quality system to detect, monitor,
and display the locations
of
fires and significant smoke plumes detected by
meteorological satellites.
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