USGS Satellite Imagery Featured in Global Environmental Change Atlas

A collection of USGS before-and-after satellite image pairs for 80 sites around the world is featured in a new atlas documenting global environmental changes released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The 332 page large-format atlas, One Planet, Many People: Atlas of Our Changing Environment was produced by UNEP in cooperation with USGS, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the University of Maryland. The atlas also highlights more than 30 environmental case studies supported by narratives, images, and ground photographs, and a compilation of recently released environmental maps.

Using satellite imagery and other remote sensing technology, the atlas is designed to document visual evidence of global environmental changes resulting from natural processes and human-induced activities. This publication is intended for environmental policy makers, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, academics, teachers, and citizens.

Many of the remotely sensed images in One Planet, Many People were acquired by Landsat satellites. The Landsat program, a joint initiative of USGS and NASA, is the longest running civilian program providing vital images of the Earth’s surface from space.