Skip to main content

Letter Report on the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (2009) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Letter Report
Pages 1-4

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... This letter focuses on the capabilities of an OCO and currently deployed satellites that measure atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and their potential role in monitoring and verifying a greenhouse gas treaty.1 The committee's study is focused on emission estimates of the greenhouse gases resulting from human activities (e.g., fossil fuel burning, deforestation, agriculture)
Read the entire page →
From page 2...
... These large sources increase the local CO2 abundance in the atmosphere by 1-10 ppm, a signal large enough to overwhelm the signal from natural sources and sinks, reducing this source of uncertainty.5 Because the increased abundances are largest over the source of emissions and disperse within a few tens of kilometers, they can usually be attributed unambiguously to their country of origin. Statistical or systematic sampling of CO2 from large local sources would thus support treaty verification by providing independent data against which to compare trends in emissions reported by countries, at least for the fossil fuel emissions from cities and power plants.
Read the entire page →
From page 3...
... necessary to verify a decadal trend for the large local sources within its footprint, and served as a pathfinder for successor satellites designed specifically to support treaty monitoring and verification. Even with the data and lessons learned from a replacement OCO, a successor mission is unlikely to be ready for almost a decade.8 Space-based monitoring of emissions to support a greenhouse gas reduction treaty has received little attention by U.S.
Read the entire page →
From page 4...
... Sincerely, Stephen W Pacala, Chair Committee on Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Attachments cc: Todd Stern, Special Envoy for Climate Change, State Department John Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy 4
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • greenhouse gas
  • local sources
  • fuel emissions
  • fuel sources
  • gas emissions

  • power plant
  • ground stations
  • atmospheric carbon
  • treaty monitoring
  • estimating greenhouse

  • orbiting carbon
  • carbon cycle
  • support treaty
  • atmospheric transport
  • carbon observatory

  • analysis suggests
  • biological sources
  • nations framework
  • scientific objectives
  • independent data

  • framework convention
  • fuel carbon
  • fuel burning
  • fuel consumption
  • distinguish fossil

  • gas treaty
  • global carbon
  • existing atmospheric
  • measure atmospheric
  • dioxide emissions


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.