SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS FOR EDUCATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ILONA PAJTÓK-TARI , JÁNOS MIKA, ZOLTÁN UTASI
ABSTRACT. – This paper surveys the key statements of the IPCC
(2007) Report based mainly on the satellite-borne observations to support
teaching climate change and geography by using the potential of this technology.
In the Introduction we briefly specify the potential and the constraints of
remote sensing. Next the key climate variables for indicating the changes are
surveyed. Snow and sea-ice changes are displayed as examples for these
applications. Testing the climate models is a two-sided task involving
satellites, as well. Validation of the ability of reconstructing the present
climate is the one side of the coin, whereas sensitivity of the climate system
is another key task, leading to consequences on the reality of the projected
changes. Finally some concluding remarks are compiled, including a few ideas on
the ways how these approaches can be applied for education of climate change.
Keywords: climate change, climate models, satellite remote sensing, climate
sensitivity