Satellite 'will help poorer nations'
A new satellite-based information system will quickly spread environmental and health data across the world so that developing countries can anticipate catastrophes such as drought, storms and floods – for only about £700 (€1,050) in set-up costs.
The GEONETCast system, to be unveiled tomorrow at an international conference in Bonn, Germany, will permit governments in poorer nations to tap information from the sophisticated satellites and weather stations run largely by the world’s richer industrial countries, organisers say.
For example, officials trying to contain wildfires could use near real-time data on wind speed, wind direction and surface temperature to ease the impact of the disaster.
Data on soil moisture, rain and vegetation cover could help forecast drought, enabling farmers and governments to take steps ahead of time.
The information system makes the information available at low cost by using satellite transmission that can be pulled down and read using a satellite dish and readily available software, keeping start-up costs minimal. It’s expected to begin operating next year, officials say.
