SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Introduction to NASA Resources for Climate Change Applications

Since the pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have increased Earth’s global average temperature by about 1.1 degree Celsius (IPCC, 2021), a number that is currently increasing by 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade (GISTEMP Team, 2021). The increase in global average temperature is driven by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human activities (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, 2021).

Satellite Observations for Analyzing Natural Hazards on Small Island Nations

Small island nations are highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters; among them hurricanes, cyclones, and other violent storms. These disasters can lead to severe flooding, landslides, and, in the worst cases, can result in the loss of life and property. In addition, a rise in the global mean sea level places island nations at a higher risk for permanent submersion of land, coastal erosion, coastal ecosystem loss or change, salinization, and impeded drainage.

Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System in Guyana

Guyana is extremely susceptible to hydro-meteorological hazards such as flooding and droughts which often have a devastating impact on the country’s primary industry – agriculture. The unequal participation in agriculture between women and men is linked to gender-based access to land, resulting in gendered occupational segregation, higher vulnerabilities, risks, and disaster impacts.

Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD)

States affected by fragility, conflict or violence face growing threats to state security, the economy, and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Major challenges such as a turbulent economy or surges of violence are causes of human insecurity altering people’s way of life. Satellite Earth Observation (EO) technology has major potential to inform and facilitate international development work in a globally consistent manner.

Strengthening capacity in the Asia-Pacific: Geospatial Information Technology for Disaster Risk Resilience

The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) has been implementing training and capacity development activities to strengthen the capacities of regional and national authorities for Disaster Risk Reduction for over 15 years. Thanks to the support from the regional liaison office in Bangkok hosted at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the training teams have been able to develop and deliver tailored trainings in the Asia Pacific, a region prone to seasonal floods and tropical cyclones.