The Gospel Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Distinguished Professor Liu Cheng-chien of National Cheng Kung University's Department of Earth Sciences and Director of its Global Earth Observation and Data Analysis Center to deliver a speech on ecological crisis on July 17, 2019. After the speech, Professor Liu took part in an informal coffee meeting with MOFA staff, sharing his work experiences.
During the meeting, Professor Liu explained how the use of satellites to engage in remote sensing and image processing can be used to analyze environmental changes in climate, and in energy and water resources, and so on. He said that images shot by satellite in 2009 showing the disintegration of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica had demonstrated that global warming was causing the irreversible melting of an entire ice shelf in the coldest region of the Earth. Professor Liu also said that in addition to establishing cooperation between Taiwan and NASA, satellite imaging had helped the government resolve numerous issues, thus promoting sustainable development.
Also citing Japan as an example, Professor Liu explained that after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, which led to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Japanese people understood that energy is a limited resource and not easily acquired. He said that the policy of turning off one row of lights on buses and in offices during lunch hours in Tokyo had reduced electricity consumption by 20 percent. He said he hoped everyone will cherish energy resources, safeguard the Earth from the expansion of ecological crises, and work together to protect the environment.
#Global Earth Observation and Data Analysis
#satellite remote sensing
#global warming
#United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)