ISRO’s NICES: Advancing Climate Research

ISRO’s NICES Programme

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has invited project proposals from Indian scientists, academicians, and researchers to enhance participation in addressing climate change challenges through the National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) programme.

What is the National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES)?

The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) is a programme conceptualised in 2012 to meet the ongoing challenge of monitoring climate variability and climate change from space. It generates climate and environmental data archives, especially from Indian Earth Observation (EO) missions, with provision for access and visualisation by various ministries, academia, and research institutions in the country.

NICES is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space, along with other ministries and institutions under the framework of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

What are the objectives of the NICES programme?

The main objectives of NICES are:

  • Generation and dissemination of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) from EO satellites.
  • Development and accessibility of over 70 geophysical variables related to terrestrial, ocean, and atmospheric conditions
  • Utilisation of NICES products for documenting climate change and its impacts

What are the potential impacts of the NICES programme?

The NICES programme has the potential to make significant contributions to our understanding of climate change and its impacts on India and the world. By generating a comprehensive database of Essential Climate Variables and making it accessible to researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, NICES can:

  • Advance knowledge of Earth’s climate system
  • Improve accuracy of climate change projections and impact assessments
  • Inform development of adaptation and mitigation strategies
  • Support evidence-based decision-making in various sectors
  • Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the scientific community

What are the key areas of focus for NICES project proposals?

  1. Space-based ECVs and Climate Indicators
  2. Climate Change Challenges
  3. Weather Extremes
  4. Climate Services

How does NICES contribute to climate change research?

NICES contributes to climate change research by developing and making accessible over 70 geophysical variables related to land, ocean, and atmosphere since its inception in 2012. These variables include parameters such as albedo, cloud properties, forest fire regime, land cover, ocean colour, ozone, soil moisture, sea level pressure, ocean surface currents, snow cover, river discharge, total alkalinity, and pCO2.

The existing set of NICES geophysical products meets stringent quality requirements and has been utilised for documenting climate change and its impacts. By providing a reliable and consistent database of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), NICES enables researchers to better understand the dynamics of Earth’s climate system and develop more accurate models for predicting future changes.

How does NICES integrate with other ISRO missions?

NICES integrates closely with other ISRO missions and initiatives. Data from the Oceansat series of satellites, which provide crucial information on ocean colour, wind speed, and sea surface temperature, are used to generate Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) related to the marine environment.

The Megha-Tropiques mission, a joint Indo-French satellite for studying the water cycle and energy exchanges in the tropics, contributes to the understanding of atmospheric processes and their role in climate change. The Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first solar observatory, also provide valuable insights into the Sun’s influence on Earth’s climate.

What are the recent developments and future plans for NICES?

  • ISRO conducted a national workshop on “Space-based Information Support for Climate and Environment Studies” in July 2022
  • Training opportunities for researchers and students are offered
  • NICES aims to expand its database, improve accuracy, and develop new tools for climate change impact assessment and adaptation planning
  • ISRO plans to strengthen collaborations with international space agencies and climate research organisations
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Vishal
Vishal

Vishal, a Computer Engineering graduate and UPSC aspirant, creates exceptional content using his expertise in GIS and Mapping. His high-resolution visuals and comprehensive coverage of the UPSC syllabus, especially Geography and Current Affairs, make complex concepts easily understandable. Vishal is dedicated to helping fellow CSE Aspirants navigate UPSC preparation.

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