Green economy 🍏

The concept of a green economy refers to an economic system that aims to foster sustainable development and address environmental challenges while promoting social well-being and economic growth. It recognizes the interdependence between the economy, society, and the environment and seeks to reconcile them in a way that supports long-term ecological balance and human prosperity.

At its core, the green economy emphasizes the efficient use of natural resources, the reduction of environmental risks and ecological scarcities, and the transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient industries. It goes beyond the traditional notion of economic growth driven solely by the consumption and depletion of natural resources. Instead, it seeks to decouple economic activities from environmental degradation by embracing principles such as sustainable production, clean technologies, and renewable energy sources.

Key elements of the green economy include:

1. Sustainable sectors and industries: The green economy encourages the development of sectors that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility, such as renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, etc.), energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and green construction. These sectors aim to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste generation, and promote the conservation of natural resources.

2. Resource efficiency and circular economy: The green economy emphasizes the efficient use of resources by adopting practices such as recycling, reuse, and waste reduction. It promotes the transition from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to a circular economy that aims to maximize the value of resources throughout their lifecycle, minimizing waste and promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.

3. Conservation and ecosystem services: The green economy recognizes the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems and their services, such as clean air and water, pollination, soil fertility, and climate regulation. It values and integrates the benefits derived from ecosystems into economic decision-making processes, ensuring the long-term sustainability of natural resources.

4. Social inclusion and well-being: The green economy seeks to promote social equity and inclusion by ensuring that the benefits of sustainable development are shared by all members of society. It focuses on creating green jobs, providing training and education for green skills, and supporting vulnerable communities in the transition to a sustainable economy.

5. Policy and governance frameworks: The transition to a green economy requires supportive policy and governance frameworks. Governments play a crucial role in creating enabling environments through regulations, incentives, and long-term planning. International cooperation and collaboration are also important to address global environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices globally.

The concept of a green economy has gained traction in response to the urgent need to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and address other environmental issues. By integrating sustainability principles into economic systems, the green economy offers a pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient future, where economic development goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social well-being.

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Optical Sensors in Remote Sensing

1. What Are Optical Sensors? Optical sensors are remote sensing instruments that detect solar radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth's surface in specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) . They mainly work in: Visible region (0.4–0.7 µm) Near-Infrared – NIR (0.7–1.3 µm) Shortwave Infrared – SWIR (1.3–3.0 µm) Thermal Infrared – TIR (8–14 µm) — emitted energy, not reflected Optical sensors capture spectral signatures of surface features. Each object reflects/absorbs energy differently, creating a unique spectral response pattern . a) Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) The continuous range of wavelengths. Optical sensing uses solar reflective bands and sometimes thermal bands . b) Spectral Signature The unique pattern of reflectance or absorbance of an object across wavelengths. Example: Vegetation reflects strongly in NIR Water absorbs strongly in NIR and SWIR (appears dark) c) Radiance and Reflectance Radi...

Radar Sensors in Remote Sensing

Radar sensors are active remote sensing instruments that use microwave radiation to detect and measure Earth's surface features. They transmit their own energy (radio waves) toward the Earth and record the backscattered signal that returns to the sensor. Since they do not depend on sunlight, radar systems can collect data: day or night through clouds, fog, smoke, and rain in all weather conditions This makes radar extremely useful for Earth observation. 1. Active Sensor A radar sensor produces and transmits its own microwaves. This is different from optical and thermal sensors, which depend on sunlight or emitted heat. 2. Microwave Region Radar operates in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum , typically from 1 mm to 1 m wavelength. Common radar frequency bands: P-band (70 cm) L-band (23 cm) S-band (9 cm) C-band (5.6 cm) X-band (3 cm) Each band penetrates and interacts with surfaces differently: Lo...

Thermal Sensors in Remote Sensing

Thermal sensors are remote sensing instruments that detect naturally emitted thermal infrared (TIR) radiation from the Earth's surface. Unlike optical sensors (which detect reflected sunlight), thermal sensors measure heat energy emitted by objects because of their temperature. They work mainly in the Thermal Infrared region (8–14 µm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. 1. Thermal Infrared Radiation All objects above 0 Kelvin (absolute zero) emit electromagnetic radiation. This is explained by Planck's Radiation Law . For Earth's surface temperature range (about 250–330 K), the peak emitted radiation occurs in the 8–14 µm thermal window . Thus, thermal sensors detect emitted energy , not reflected sunlight. 2. Emissivity Emissivity is the efficiency with which a material emits thermal radiation. Values range from 0 to 1 : Water, vegetation → high emissivity (0.95–0.99) Bare soil → medium (0.85–0.95) Metals → low (0.1–0.3) E...

Geometric Correction

When satellite or aerial images are captured, they often contain distortions (errors in shape, scale, or position) caused by many factors — like Earth's curvature, satellite motion, terrain height (relief), or the Earth's rotation . These distortions make the image not properly aligned with real-world coordinates (latitude and longitude). 👉 Geometric correction is the process of removing these distortions so that every pixel in the image correctly represents its location on the Earth's surface. After geometric correction, the image becomes geographically referenced and can be used with maps and GIS data. Types 1. Systematic Correction Systematic errors are predictable and can be modeled mathematically. They occur due to the geometry and movement of the satellite sensor or the Earth. Common systematic distortions: Scan skew – due to the motion of the sensor as it scans the Earth. Mirror velocity variation – scanning mirror moves at a va...

LiDAR in Remote Sensing

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an active remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth's surface and create high-resolution 3D maps . LiDAR sensors emit short pulses of laser light (usually in the near-infrared range) and measure the time it takes for the pulse to return after hitting an object. Because LiDAR measures distance very precisely, it is excellent for mapping: terrain vegetation height buildings forests coastlines flood plains ✅ 1. Active Sensor LiDAR sends its own laser energy, unlike passive sensors that rely on sunlight. ✅ 2. Laser Pulse LiDAR emits thousands of pulses per second (even millions). Wavelengths commonly used: Near-Infrared (NIR) → land and vegetation mapping Green (532 nm) → water/ bathymetry (penetrates shallow water) ✅ 3. Time of Flight (TOF) The sensor measures the time taken for the laser to travel: from the sensor → to the sur...

Vineesh V, Geography

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