Earth’s ocean and atmosphere are changing as our planet warms. Launching in...

NASA Climate Change 2 years ago

Earth’s ocean and atmosphere are changing as our planet warms. Launching in February 2024, @NASA’s newest Earth-observing satellite will help us understand how. The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite, or PACE, will allow @nasaocean scientists to study ocean health, identify different types of phytoplankton, study clouds and aerosols, understand the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle, and more. Video description: :00 Two shots stacked atop each other. The top shows clouds. The bottom shows ocean water. Text reads “Earth’s ocean and atmosphere are changing as our planet warms.” :05 Animation of the PACE satellite orbiting earth. “NASA’s newest Earth-observing satellite, PACE, will help us understand how. PACE= Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean, Ecosystem” :09 Image of the turquoise swirls labeled phytoplankton bloom, followed by a shot of beach water that appears red from a phytoplankton bloom. “Climate change is affecting the abundance and types of phytoplankton. These tiny marine critters can sequester carbon and release it back into the atmosphere.” :18 Shot of the PACE satellite in the clean room. An arrow points to a rectangular instrument covered by a hood and identifies it as “PACE’s Ocean Color Instrument (OCI)”. :21 Close up of a scientist pipetting amber liquid into a beaker, followed by a satellite image of bright teal phytoplankton blooms swirling in blue ocean. “OCI will allow scientists to study ocean health and the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle in a warming world.” :28 Animation of GMAO model data of aerosols. “PACE will also investigate one of the trickiest components of climate change to model” :33 Animation of blue water droplets around spiky gray aerosol particles. The shot transitions to a view of fire smoke. “How clouds and aerosols interact.” :37 Animation of the PACE satellite orbiting a globe. As it passes over, it leaves a swath of colorful ocean and aerosol data in its wake. “As Earth’s systems change in a warmer world, PACE is soon to be on the case.” #Earth #NASA #Ocean #Sea #PACE #Clouds #Atmosphere #Science #Satellite #EarthFromSpace #Climate #ClimateChange

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 2 hours ago



The regeneration of Sighthill in Glasgow is moving forward at scale, led by Keepmoat, with hundreds of new energy‑efficient homes and major infrastructure improvements. The scheme highlights sustainable urban development in practice, with strong focus on community links, job creation and low carbon building standards. Delivering housing with reduced Whole Life Carbon is central to driving environmental sustainability in construction across the UK.

In Glastonbury, Beard Construction has started work on the adaptive reuse of Baily’s Buildings, a former industrial site. The approach of retrofitting existing structures demonstrates how Embodied Carbon reduction can be achieved while preserving historic character. The project reflects rising demand for sustainable building design that aligns with Circular Economy in construction principles, lowering the carbon footprint of construction while providing long‑term Life Cycle Cost savings.

Across Europe, climate risks are shifting priorities. Extreme heat and flooding are disrupting construction schedules and damaging materials, with economic costs projected to reach billions. The sector faces mounting pressure for climate‑resilient and sustainable design solutions. Adopting eco‑design for buildings, low carbon construction materials and lifecycle assessment frameworks will be essential to enhance building lifecycle performance and safeguard investment resilience.

Global demand for air conditioning is exposing the urgent need for low carbon design. Without radical improvements in passive cooling, natural ventilation and insulation standards, energy‑efficient buildings risk being undermined by runaway emissions. Transitioning to net zero carbon buildings requires both technological innovation and a holistic Whole Life Carbon Assessment to secure carbon footprint reduction across the building lifecycle.

Digitalisation is also influencing sustainable construction pathways. Veolia’s launch of its North American Hubgrade Centre, while focused on utilities, signals the integration of data‑driven tools into sustainable building practices. Such systems have clear relevance for resource efficiency in construction, enabling improved environmental product declarations (EPDs), energy optimisation and smarter circular construction strategies.

Public investment is increasingly underpinning decarbonising the built environment. The UK’s Great British Energy initiative will fund new renewable infrastructure to support carbon neutral construction and net zero Whole Life Carbon goals. Affordable clean energy strengthens the ecosystem for eco‑friendly construction and sustainable material specification, ensuring the next generation of green construction projects can thrive economically while reducing the environmental impact of construction.

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Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.