Satellite-Derived Environmental Indicators

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Introduction

Environmental indicators simplify complex information about the state of the environment and human-environment relationships, identifying problem areas and revealing underlying trends. Satellite data have many worthwhile characteristics, including broad spatial coverage and consistent measurement over time. The development of a scientifically robust set of satellite-derived environmental indicators has the potential to help policymakers make informed decisions and ultimately support policies and programs that protect the environment and human health.

The Satellite-Derived Environmental Indicators collection includes estimates of annual ground-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations, global urban heat island and daytime maximum and nighttime minimum summer land surface temperatures, ground-level nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, global fire emissions, freshwater availability, and the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of nighttime lights derived from satellite remote sensing data.