Director of Earth Observation Programmes at the European Space Agency, Volker Liebig, explains how “Global change is a global problem and we need global data”. He goes through current ESA programmes and in particular touches on the February launch of the CryoSat programme. This will measure ice thickness in the search for conclusive proof as to whether there is a trend towards diminishing polar ice cover. He also points out that ESA supports open access to data, so “everyone can draw their own conclusions”.

RTCC: Read the ESA article on coordinating action in space