Studying the Earth from space

Abstract

Pictures of the Earth's surface obtained from satellites are providing scientists with new tools to investigate the Earth and its environment. At the same time, a growing population and an ever-expanding technology place unprecedented demands on natural resources. Man can no longer treat his resources strictly according to immediate economic dictates; a balance must be struck between the short-term demands of technological and industrial development and the long-term effects on the environment. Intelligent development, management, and conservation of resources are goals that represent a challenge in the acquisition and use of information.