We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LogOn: Methane Measuring Satellite (TV/R)
HEADLINE: LogOn: Methane-measuring satellite could help slow global warming
TEASER: As the planet grows hotter, scientists are finding ways to better measure methane emissions, which are a major climate pollutant
PUBLISHED: 05/07/2024 at 9:10am
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR: Arash Arabasadi (From a 03/07/2024 episode of The Week in Space)
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR: Adam Greenbaum
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, sb
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Zoom, REUTERS, SpaceX, Blue Canyon Technologies, BAE Systems, Clean Air Task Force
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 01:54 and 02:00
VID APPROVED BY: sb
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: There is also a feature-length version of this story released April 26, 2024.))
((INTRO))
[[Methane leaking from fossil fuel production is among the top contributors to climate change. Now a leading environmental scientist is hoping to provide more accurate and consistent findings of methane emissions with the launch of a technologically advanced satellite. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more, in this week’s episode of LogOn.]]
((Courtesy: SpaceX))
((NATS – Control room voice: “Ignition, and lift off Falcon-9”))
((NARRATOR))
This past March, [EDS: March 4] private spaceflight company SpaceX carried into space a satellite that’s using advanced technology to measure methane emissions around the world.
((Courtesy: SpaceX))
((NATS -- Control room voice: “MethaneSAT, separation confirmed”))
((Courtesy: Blue Canyon Technologies))
Manufactured by Colorado-based Blue Canyon Technologies and roughly the size of a washing machine, MethaneSAT will circle every part of the Earth to measure how much of the planet-warming gas has been emitted into our atmosphere and how those emissions vary.
((Radio track: Chris Winslett is the general manager of Blue Canyon Technologies. He spoke with VOA via Zoom.))
((Chris Winslett, Blue Canyon Technologies)) ((Zoom))
“MethaneSAT would be one of the first satellites that's actually not only able to measure the source of emissions, but actually monitor it over time, so they can see if it's getting better, if it's getting worse.”
((Courtesy: Clean Air Task Force))
((NARRATOR))
Methane emitted through human activity accounts for about 30% of the warming the planet is currently experiencing, and the gas is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in our atmosphere.
((Courtesy: Blue Canyon Technologies))
MethaneSAT, developed by the Environmental Defense Fund in collaboration with several partners, will initially focus on fossil fuel production…
((End courtesy))
…which is the second-largest human-made contributor to methane emissions after agriculture.
((Radio track: Steven Hamburg is the project lead of MethaneSAT and chief scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. He spoke with VOA via Zoom.))
((Steven Hamburg, Environmental Defense Fund)) ((Zoom))
“We've been leading efforts to understand methane emissions from the oil and gas industry for well over 10 years now. And several years ago, we realized that we couldn't collect enough data to really be able to capture those emissions on an ongoing basis.”
((Courtesy: Blue Canyon Technologies))
((NARRATOR))
The data will help scientists assess where reductions need to be made and by whom.
((Steven Hamburg, Environmental Defense Fund)) ((Zoom))
“The key here is going to empirical data, high quality data, data that we can trust, and that we can then utilize to really understand the problem.”
((Courtesy: BAE Systems))
((NARRATOR))
MethaneSAT will yield what the team says will be the most comprehensive dataset ever produced for a single industry.
((Courtesy: Blue Canyon Technologies))
In the meantime, preliminary data from the satellite will be accessible to the public -- free of charge -- within the next six months.
((Julie Taboh, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 7, 2024 09:29 EDT
BylineJulie Taboh
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
