Role of Remote Sensing - Essay Example

?Use of Remote Sensing in assessing MDG 7 in Jordan Introduction The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of objectives adopted by the member nations of the United Nations (UN) in the year 2000. The primary goal of these MSGs is to eradicate poverty through concrete and tangible strategies by the year 2015. The MDGs thus provide a universal framework for countries to implement relevant programs within their communities and ensure the realization of a common goal. In terms of numerical benchmarks, the MDGs hope to cut levels of world poverty by half and promote inclusive efforts to accommodate more people into the global economy. Amongst the eight distinct MDGs, MDG 7 deals with environmental sustainability and is measured through a set of 10 indicators. The task of preserving the environment is extremely important for the achievement of other MDG goals such as education, economic development, equality and healthcare. For instance, Azmi (2010) notes that over a quarter of the epidemics and diseases reported worldwide result from environmental factors. Over 35% of all deaths in third world countries are caused from environmental disturbances. According to Hassan (2004), MDG 7 is sometimes misunderstood for its context and broader outlook and criticized for being disconnected from other issues such as farming and healthcare that seem to affect the poor. Bradford (2005) says that this is however not true since numerous studies have concluded that most of these problems are a direct result of environmental exploitation and the lack of sustainable practices and strategies to counter this decline. Researchers like Faure (2009) have carried out extensive studies on environmental impact and have concluded that most environmental disasters result from and are often accelerated by massive environmental degradation. For example, countries like Jordan are facing acute water shortage, energy deficiency and climate change due to rapid desertification of the countryside and global warming. Within the context of poverty reduction, environmental sustainability plays a pivotal role due to their widespread dependence on non-renewable sources of energy and unsustainable environmental practices. Wagstaff (2010) argues that the major obstacle to developing any environmental strategy is the measurement of the current trends in the local environment and cites the importance of technologies like remote sensing in monitoring any related initiatives. With over 65% of the population dependent on fisheries, agriculture and minerals, Jordan is a nation that is highly dependent on the environment for its economic growth (Mays, 2009). Thus, devising and tracking any environmental strategy for the country needs a holistic and wholesome approach and cannot rely on a person-to-person methodology. Remote sensing, the science of acquiring information on a geographical region from aerial satellites, encompasses numerous technologies that are capable of measuring anything from meteorology and terrain (minerals and other natural resources) to deforestation and desertification. This paper therefore describes the role of remote sensing in monitoring and measuring progress towards the MDG 7 in Jordan. Role of Remote Sensing The metrics and targets specified under MDG 7 help in determining the amount of conservation of a resource. In the case of Jordan, indicators 7.1 and 7.5 have been used to evaluate the total amount of land covered by forests and the percentage utilization of water resources available within the country (Joseph, 2010). While these indicators provide critical insights into a region’s environmental stability, these resources are so widespread and diverse that it becomes to measure these metrics at the national level. Resources such as water and natural resources are also harnessed from underground sources and are highly difficult to estimate based on simple physical observation of the area. Moreover, ecosystems and inherent ecological processes are so intricate that it becomes difficult to use simple parameters to determine the pattern of evolution of these complex ecosystems (Azmi, 2010). Technological advances in the way we observe and estimate natural resources have revolutionized and changed the very nature of land and environmental observations. Today, one can use the technology of remote sensing to obtain satellite images of any chosen region and analyze them for patterns in land utilization. The United States and the European Union have been using remote sensing satellites since the early 1970s to estimate the land cover (Hassan, 2004). Satellites such as the ‘Landsat’ use a combination of spatial and temporal resolution sensors to monitor weather patterns, distribution of land cover (forests, deserts etc). Techniques such as solar reflectance and infrared sensors are also used alongside to distinguish among the types of vegetation present in the given area (like differentiating between agricultural lands, grasslands and forests). In fact, developing nations such as China, India and Brazil have been using remote sensing satellites for timeline analyses of variations in forest cover over the past 20 years. According to Praussello (2011), there is considerable proof to suggest that land degradation is a major problem in Jordan. Besides the existence of poor soils (unsuitable for agriculture) and lack of sufficient forest cover, local nomadic groups have contributed to the overgrazing of sparse grasslands, thus contributing to rapid desertification of the countryside. This massive degradation is inhibiting the ability of Jordan to increase its food production and has restricted agriculture to the fertile Jordan valley. On the other hand, Jordan is experiencing a gradual surge in its population and thus facing ever growing needs. Experts like Finlay (2011) believe that Remote Sensing is an effective tool in identifying the primary contributors to this degradation and ascertaining their extent of influence. Covering the country’s sparse and remote regions for this purpose is only possible through the use of remote sensing. Bhatta (2010) states that such information from remote sensing satellites can be combined with ground weather data to develop strategies and policies for land regeneration. Although remote sensing is a proven and developing technology that has revolutionized our understanding of the environment, there are no established procedures or protocols to integrate this data with information from other ground-based GIS (Geographical Information Systems) or ICTs (Bradford, 2005). It is therefore important for the government and environmental agencies to have a clearly defined framework in place in order to better understand the distribution of the country’s resources and environmental issues. Such predefined measures are important especially if the proposed changes and initiatives are being undertaken to fulfill obligations related to MDGs or other programs. The preceding decade has witnessed a massive improvement in remote sensing technologies and has led to a broad array of tools that can be used to analyze everything from atmosphere and land cover to topography and geophysical composition of the region. Remote Sensing can be used to monitor changes and trends in a region over a prolonged period of time (Wagstaff, 2010). Moreover, remote sensing can be used to monitor changes in attributes like urbanization and population growth and compare them with trends in agricultural and industrial development. Thus, remote sensing facilitates the mapping of natural resources against the forces of supply and demand and thereby generates a holistic overview of the dynamics involved in this entire process. Regions with high, low or abnormal activity (referred to as ‘hotspots’) can be identified easily through appropriate computer systems and prompt changes that can result in their sustainable utilization (Praussello, 2011). Information from Remote Sensing is also used to construct complex mathematical models to forecast the perceived changes in a given scenario. For instance, models can be applied to determine the impact of a mining operation on the surround areas or ascertain the effects of fishing on the local biodiversity. Thus, remote sensing can be used to frame policies that can enforce sustainable practices and environmental preservation. Remote Sensing in Jordan – Current role and future prospects The scientific community was among the first to promote the use of remote sensing for measuring environmental developments in Jordan. The Jordan Environment Society (JES), established in 1988, was instrumental in the inclusion of environmental protection as a national policy. According to Bhatta (2010), the sustained campaign by the JES, combined with the scarcity of natural resources prompted the royal government to pass the 2003 EPA (Environmental Protection Act). Today, all activities related to the implementation of the MDGs fall under the purview of the Ministry of Environment (MoE). Jordan’s preference for remote sensing has 1resulted from several factors. The MoE estimated in 2009 that the country was losing over 5% of its annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) due to environmental degradation. Much like its Arab neighbors, the country lacks any credible data on climate change or ecological patterns, thereby preventing the formulation of any long-term environmental framework. To overcome this deficiency, the Jordanian government became an active contributor in the launch of the DubaiSat-1 satellite (launched in 2009 by the United Arab Emirates) in a hope to benefit from the relayed data (Barrow, 2008). By using information gathered through Remote Sensing, Jordan hopes to understand climate change and the use of green ICTs (information and Communication Technologies) within its industries. As a resource-scarce country, Jordan does not have much forest cover and depends on the supply of considerable amounts of water for developing forests and other natural cover. Furthermore, timbering is a highly regulated activity in the country. Jordan has over 2% of the world’s uranium resources and boasts of vast reserves of phosphate minerals. This vast presence has prompted the government to look towards nuclear power generation as an alternative and viable means of energy production. However, analyzing the local terrain through satellite imagery to determine the distribution and composition of such minerals (Uranium is a highly sparse element found together with other minerals like phosphates at concentrations of 0.1% - 0.02%) is difficult without the availability of higher image resolution (Olla, 2009). The government plans to incorporate HyperSpectral imagery, a technology used to ascertain land mineralogy and ecological measurements, to study the distribution of its Uranium reserves and identify potential mining areas. Barrow (2008) says that such initiatives will revive Jordan’s fledgling nuclear sector and evolve into a major employer for the country’s youth. Jordan also possesses some of the largest reserves of oil shale in the northern parts of the country. Current methods in place to harness this fuel are non-commercial in nature. The nation could benefit from exploiting these reserves, which are second only to Canada in terms of proven quantities. The Jordanian government has plans to use remote sensing technology to identify potential sites for exploration and has also entered into a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell for this purpose (Joseph, 2010). This technology is also proposed to be used to study the volume of emissions (Carbon dioxide, Methane etc.) that may be released from these operations by using a variant of the MDG 7.2 indicator. The government claims that its goal is to achieve energy sufficiency and generate employment without affecting the local environment in any noticeable manner Olla (2009). Conclusion The preceding sections have discussed some of the aspects of the Millennium Development Goal 7 and its applicability in the case of Jordan. There is also some elaborate description of the importance of remote sensing in the realization of the goals stated under MDG 7. Many countries have embarked on several space programs to launch remote sensing satellites and better understand their geographical composition and potential. Remote Sensing helps immensely in understanding the terrain, deducing the mineralogical composition of the land and studying the atmospheric conditions in a given area. In fact, the scope of remote sensing is rising gradually with each passing day with improvement in relevant technologies. Jordan has been active in the implementation of MDG 7 and has taken many steps to reduce poverty and ensure the sustainable development and preservation of the local environment. With a growing population and scarce sources of energy, Jordan realizes the need to develop sustainable sources of energy to power its industries and help in the growth of the economy. The government recognizes the technology of remote sensing as a viable means to identify newer sources of energy such as uranium and oil shale (Bradford, 2005). By identifying these resources, the government also hopes to generate more jobs and induce new momentum into the economy. The country’s capabilities in remote sensing, however, are rather limited and currently primitive in nature. Jordan does not have any indigenous remote sensing capabilities and depends on other countries for this information, which is often very limited. It is therefore important for Jordan to improve its capabilities in this domain. Although it is important to monitor data from remote sensing equipment in a time-bound framework, it is also important to present the inferences from such analyses in a spatio-temporal format. The World Bank has provided several tools and components as part of the MDG 7 and has encouraged the development of open source software to aid in such analysis (Joseph, 2010). However, in the case of Jordan, not much has been achieved so far in terms of developing publicly available software that showcases the information gathered so far. Besides, Jordan’s resources are currently limited to borrowing bandwidth and data from a handful of satellites that were launched by other countries like the UAE and the US (Praussello, 2011). Thus, it is necessary for the Jordanian government to take the necessary steps to make better use of remote sensing technology in the coming years. This requires a commitment towards long term investments and research initiatives that must make Jordan self-sufficient in its remote-sensing capabilities and requirements. References 1. Azmi, G., 2010. Wasterwater Reuse and Management in the Middle East and North Africa A Case Study of Jordan. Berlin: Univerlagtuberlin. 2. Barrow, C., 2008. Environmental management for sustainable development. London: Taylor & Francis. 3. Bhatta, B., 2010. Analysis of Urban Growth and Sprawl from Remote Sensing Data. London: Springer. 4. Bradford, C., 2005. The millennium development goals: raising the resources to tackle world poverty. New York: Zed Books. 5. Faure, J., 2009. Development Co-Operation: 2009 Report. OECD Publishing. 6. Finlay, B., 2011. Beyond Boundaries in the Middle East: Leveraging Non-Proliferation Assistance to Address Security/Development Needs with Resolution 1540. London: DIANE Publishing. 7. Hassan, F., 2009. Jordan: supporting stable development in a challenging region: a joint World Bank-Islamic Development Bank evaluation. World Bank Publications. 8. Joseph, 2010. Environmental Studies. Chicago: McGraw-Hill. 9. Mays, L., 2009. Integrated urban water management: arid and semi-arid regions. New York: CRC Press. 10. Olla, P., 2009. Space Technologies for the Benefit of Human Society and Earth. London: Springer. 11. Praussello, F., 2011. Sustainable development and adjustment in the Mediterranean countries following the EU enlargement. Rome: FrancoAngeli. 12. Wagstaff, A., 2010. The millennium development goals for health: rising to the challenges of other World Bank Bks. World Bank Publications. Read More