Newswise — The multi-prong tragedy in Japan of earthquake, tsunami, and the crippling of nuclear power plants underscores the importance of disaster response, including the invaluable use of Earth remote sensing satellites and social networking tools.
In terms of human and environmental security, Secure World Foundation focuses not only on keeping outer space sustainable but also on maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of using space for the benefit of humanity.
Earth orbiting space systems -- including position, navigation and timing, remote sensing and telecommunications -- provide significant benefits in support of human and environmental security. Citizen use of technologies
As is the case for the catastrophic events in Japan, this trio of technologies comes into play to provide first responders with crucial information to guide rescue efforts and to assist recovery crews with recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“The extensive news coverage of Japan’s multiple disasters that include use of satellite images illustrates just how far we have come from the early days of remote sensing via Earth orbiting spacecraft,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director, Secure World Foundation (SWF).
Williamson said that on the ground information is vastly increased through the use of citizen use of technologies like smart phones, tablets and notebooks, “enabling earthquake victims to keep in better touch with response workers and family than ever before,” he said.
SWF’s Williamson said that there is a rapid emergence of citizen science and social networks that yields a powerful new means to become better stewards of our planet, including disaster response.
Community remote sensing
“The geospatial community that deals with the relative position of things on the Earth’s surface has come a long way in just the past 18 months for disaster response,” said Myrna James Yoo, Publisher of Imaging Notes and LBx Journal.
Yoo said that there’s growing interest in aggregating mapping, real-time social media posts, and efforts of non-experts, referred to both as Community Remote Sensing, and volunteer geographic information, or VGI for short.
“This important merging of information from a variety of sources, including real-time inputs such as Twitter feeds, is what makes use of satellite imagery and community remote sensing expertise compelling, timely and useful,” Yoo said.
SWF’s Williamson added that Community Remote Sensing is becoming recognized as a key element in filling the data gap for remote sensing. The data provided from people and sensors “on the ground” will be instrumental in seeing a much fuller picture for projects around the world, from vehicles collecting road and weather data to disaster management for emergency responders – just to name a few examples, he said.
For more information on use of satellites for disaster response and Community Remote Sensing, contact:
Dr. Ray A. Williamson, Executive DirectorSecure World Foundation314 W. Charles St.Superior, CO 81321
Phone: 303-554-1560 Cell Phone: 303-501-0430
Email: [email protected]
Imaging Notes is the premier publication for commercial, government and academic remote sensing professionals around the world. It provides objective exclusive in-depth reporting that demonstrates how remote sensing technologies and spatial information illuminate the urgent interrelated issues of the environment, energy and security.
Imaging Notes has a partnership with Secure World Foundation and is affiliated with the Alliance for Earth Observations, a program of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.
To access Imaging Notes and its resources, go to:
About Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium.
SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space sustainability. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for promoting key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
For access to the SWF website, please go to:
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