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ESA to launch CryoSat 2 mission to detect changes in polar ice

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According to the Associated Press, to help climate scientists gain a more precise reading, the European Space Agency (ESA) plans to launch the CryoSat2 satellite tomorrow that will provide details of polar ice changes. Touted by the ESA as the most sophisticated satellite ever to investigate ice fields, CroSat 2 will use radar technology from 447 miles above Earth’s surface to measure thickness of land and floating ice to pinpoint changes within one centimeter. If all the Earth’s polar ice and glaciers were to melt, sea levels could rise 230 feet creating a catastrophic situation for a lot of coastal cities and islands. Studying climate change’s effect on ice melt has been a big part of our work especially regarding the risk it poses to our national security. We will continue to keep a close eye on these developments.

Watch ASP Chairman and former Senator Gary Hart discuss arctic ice melt and the risk it poses to our national security here

You can read the Associated Press article here