Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are converging into a triple planetary crisis – that no single nation can monitor alone. Meeting this challenge requires a global observing system capable of tracking the state of the planet continuously, consistently, and independently. In June, the York Festival of Ideas 2026, themed 'Place and Space', brought together scientists, policymakers, and thinkers from France and the United Kingdom to examine the scientific, geopolitical, and environmental dimensions of space exploration. Among the speakers was Clément Albergel, Head of Section for Actionable Climate Information at ESA, who explained why observing the Earth is essential for addressing today's climate challenges.
Key takeaways from his session “From space exploration to understanding Earth: Space & Climate”:
- Humanity faces a triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – all of which require a global, satellite-based observing system for effective monitoring.
- Earth observation enables the generation of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs): the long-term, consistent datasets that underpin climate science and policy.
- Data is ESA's core contribution to evidence-based climate action, providing an independent line of evidence for informed decision-making.
- Satellite records directly support the Paris Agreement by helping to verify national emissions reporting and assess collective progress towards global climate targets.
The panel took place as part of the build-up to the International Space Summit, which will be held at the Grand Palais in Paris on 9–10 September 2026. Convened at the invitation of the President of the French Republic and with the support of special envoys astronaut Thomas Pesquet and business leader Hélène Huby, the summit will bring together nearly 120 foreign delegations to address the future of space, including its role in protecting our planet.
The full panel discussion featuring Clément Albergel and other experts is available to watch here: