IN this day and age, finding a partner can already be made possible with the use of technology via several applications. Even team-ups between space agencies have so much to gain from cutting-edge technology.
The ongoing dialogues between the European Union and the Philippines, through the Copernicus Programme, illustrate technology’s role in laying the foundation for a strong collaboration.
Copernicus is the EU’s Earth observation tool, which draws on a large number of space and in situ (on-site or local) measurement systems. The program is supported by a family of dedicated, EU-owned satellites—the Sentinels—designed to meet the needs of Copernicus services and their users.
Among the many unique features of this program is its ability to monitor the Earth to ensure that citizens are prepared, and protected, during natural or man-made disasters. Apart from providing high-resolution global spatial coverage, the Copernicus program promotes free and open use of its information for all its users.
During the Second National Conference on the EU’s space program, Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña welcomed the Copernicus Programme as a system which has given the Philippines “different opportunities to develop Earth observation applications for disaster-risk reduction and management, environmental protection and climate-change adaptation.”
De la Peña said that the Philippines has been a heavy user of Sentinel data. Through the Sentinel Australasia Regional Access, data and user products from Copernicus satellites Sentinel 1, Sentinel 2 and Sentinel 3 are now easily accessible to scientists and engineers at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Eye in the sky
DATA captured by orbiting satellites can be analyzed and processed in real time to become weather forecasting, climatic environmental and geological-monitoring information. This helps in determining rainfall and temperature, identifying land degradation, resource extraction, spread of insect-borne diseases, crop yields or managing disasters.
This prospective cooperation aims to address key objectives of the Philippine government to develop and utilize Earth observation satellite applications to enhance hazard management and disaster mitigation strategies, as well as further strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change.
Dr. Philippe Brunet, principal advisor to the European Commission Directorate for Cooperation and Development (and former EU director for space policy, Copernicus Programme and Defense), affirmed this prospective bilateral cooperation on space program. He said that the EU is looking at the possibility of implementing a national capacity-support program on Copernicus toward the end of the current year as a first step in close cooperation with the DOST.
Network of partners
INITIAL discussions between the EU and the Philippines have focused on disaster-risk reduction and climate-change adaptation, forest monitoring, as well as marine pollution and marine litter.
In the long term, Brunet said that “the EU is exploring the possibility of creating a network of Copernicus partners in the Asean region, aside from other parts of the world. [We are] hopeful that through the program, it will enable mainstream use of information in development assistance operations.”
According to Brunet, since becoming operational six years ago, Copernicus has become an excellent example of European cooperation, and is the world’s leading provider of Earth observation data and information.
Copernicus supports evidence-based policy, creates economic opportunities, encourages innovation. It also contributes to better disaster-risk management and emergency response, as well as tackles challenges of global nature.
The journey for both the EU and the Philippines as partners is gearing up amid some challenges, but the delegation is certain that through the Copernicus Programme, its bilateral relations will all the more be strengthened.
Image credits: EU in the Philippines, Copernicus EMS