Remote Sensing and the Developing World

EARSeL, as an organization of European remote sensing laboratories has principally
Scientific and technical interests to develop methodologies for use of remote sensing in a great variety of applications ranging from meteorology, climatology, environment, oceanography, land resources, land use and topographic mapping to land use planning.

The most pressing global problems occur in developing countries, which lack relevant data, which can predominantly be provided by remote sensing and where remote sensing can make a significant impact, as everyone using Google Earth can attest to.
Instruments for direct support of developing countries exist through governmental programs in billions of dollars. However, these programs are directed toward the achievement of goals, not the support of methodologies.

Most remote sensing specialists are convinced, that their technological developments could well be used in developing countries, and participants of this workshop have proved it in exemplary projects. But the incorporation of remote sensing into international programs is the next step.

Tools like the global GEOSS and the European GMES are the vehicles created by space agencies in a top down manner. But these programs require bottom up contributions from organizations such as EARSeL and its laboratories to make a significant impact, with some laboratories already being active in this regard.

For a better chance to participate in these efforts EARSeL could work together with other regional organizations in remote sensing, such as AARS in Asia, AARSE in Africa or SELPER in Latin America to find joint access to UN programs, such as Millennium Goals or Food Security etc., and to explore ways how the eminent potential of remote sensing can be better integrated into the solution of problems of the developing world.