N° 3–2019: Call for Media: taking the pulse of our planet from space
16 April 2019
ESA invites media representatives to join the Living Planet Symposium, the biggest Earth observation conference in the world, to hear first-hand from scientists about recent environmental discoveries and the latest hard facts on climate change – don’t miss this exciting opportunity.
The event will be held on 13–17 May at the Milan Convention Centre in Italy. It offers a unique opportunity to talk directly to some of the most eminent scientists in the field of Earth science and learn how state-of-the-art satellites and novel measuring techniques from space are taking the pulse of our planet.
The week is packed with sessions and talks about observing Earth from space. Attendees will see the latest results from research into different aspects of our planet, from melting ice to desertification and warming oceans, and how human activity is affecting Earth’s natural processes.
There will be an emphasis on how information from space is critical for international bodies assessing climate change and implementing strategies to address societal issues, such as air pollution, food and water security, sea-level rise and disaster management, for example.
While novel space technologies and scientific discoveries form the heart of the event, the focus is also very much on how Earth observation is being used increasingly to benefit everyday life, particularly through Europe’s Copernicus programme. Precision agriculture practices, safe marine operations, weather forecasting and urban planning, for example, all rely on data from space.
New satellite technologies, the end-to-end chain of providing value-added information to a variety of users, along with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, are also leading to new opportunities for business.
There is also a dedicated area for primary and secondary school children, where students will be carrying out experiments, such as taking measurements of air pollution and learning more about the planet and climate change.
Programme
Monday 13 May
09:30–11:50: Opening session – includes addresses by Italian ministers, senior ESA officials, heads of EU Copernicus and Eumetsat, along with discussions with science advisors and EU research and innovation officials.
12:00–13:00: Press conference
Monday 13 May to Friday 17 May
Following the opening, parallel sessions throughout the week will cover all facets of Earth observation, such as monitoring greenhouse gases, climate change, space weather, forest health, space and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, international collaboration, commercial applications, New Space and future aims.
For example, on Monday afternoon there are sessions on biodiversity, on Tuesday air pollution and ocean currents, on Wednesday agriculture and coastal waters, Thursday brings natural hazards into focus and Friday commercial opportunities
Several topics, such as the cryosphere and oceans, will be discussed in dedicated rooms throughout the week.
The full programme is available at the Living Planet Symposium website.
Media registration
Media representatives can register using the link below and indicate which of the days they would like to attend. An account needs to be created to register.
Location
2019 Living Planet Symposium
MiCo - Milano Congressi
Piazzale Carlo Magno, 1 – 20149 Milano – Italy
For further information, please contact:
ESA Newsroom and Media Relations
Tel: +39 06 941801
Email: media@esa.int
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 20 are Member States of the EU.
ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.
ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.
Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int