Heat-trapping greenhouse gases play a key role in regulating our climate. However, human activity has resulted in a doubling of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, while methane is now 150%, and rising.

Michaela Hegglin of the University of Reading in the UK is a leading climate scientist working with ESA. Michaela discusses how satellite observations and ESA’s Climate Change Initiative are key to monitoring these and other greenhouse gases including water vapour and ozone, and how this helps understand their role in the climate system.

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