While a space-based satellite system to effectively monitor Greenhouse Gases [GHGs] with pin point accuracy is said to be at least a decade away, research is underway to monitor emissions from space by the Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite in 2009 and the Japanese Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) this year.
Satellites may play a larger role in reduced carbon emissions by industries around the globe in the future using the data for regulatory monitoring in the post-Kyoto world. A new multinational treaty is expected to be adopted next year in which the United States will probably be a signatory.
Project Vulcan is a collaboration between Purdue University, The Department of Energy and NASA to map the extent of the United States' carbon emissions North American Carbon Program (NACP) to quantify North American fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at space and time scales much finer than has been achieved in the past using GIS maps [vid].
The purpose of Project Vulcan is to aid in quantification of the North American carbon budget, to support inverse estimation of carbon sources and sinks, and to support the demands posed by the launch of the Orbital Carbon Observatory (OCO) scheduled for early 2009. Linked is a state-by-state profile of CO2 emissions. The project may be the forerunner of a more extensive satellite system to gain compliance with international treaty obligations and domestic laws.
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