ESA - Observing the Earth - First greenhouse gas animations produced using Envisat SCIAMACHY data

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First greenhouse gas animations produced using Envisat SCIAMACHY data

20 March 2007

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The first animation ever produced showing the global distribution of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas. Dr. Michael Buchwitz and Oliver Schneising from the Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) at the University of Bremen in Germany produced the animation using Envisat SCIAMACHY observations from 2003 to 2005.

Credits: IUP/IFE, Univ. Bremen

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This animation of carbon dioxide (CO2) shows how our planet ‘breathes’. Each year huge amounts of CO2 are taken up by the growing vegetation in spring and summer and are to a large extent released again during the following autumn and winter when part of the vegetation dies and decays. This is seen in the animations by the up and down of the measured CO2 once per year. By looking carefully at the animation, it is possible to see that the CO2 levels are rising by about 0.5-1 percent from year to year. Dr Michael Buchwitz and Oliver Schneising from the Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) at the University of Bremen in Germany based produced this animation using Envisat SCIAMACHY observations from 2003 to 2005.

Credits: IUP/IFE, Univ. Bremen

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Our understanding of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, and the strong link between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature both point to human activity leading to a warmer world.

Credits: ESA

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