Discover more about the Trees in your community.
Esplora teamed up with GLOBE Malta and the US Embassy, Malta. The #TreesChallenge will require you to spot trees around the Maltese Islands and to then map and measure their height using NASA’s GLOBE Observer App.
Why are trees important?
Over the past few decades, we’ve burnt so much fossil fuels and released so much carbon dioxide in the air, that Earth’s temperature has risen. We have a carbon problem, and unless we do something about it, Earth is going to get hotter.
Now think of trees as a carbon sink. Through a natural process, trees are able to capture the carbon dioxide from the air and use it to grow! The more trees we have, the more we’ll be able to offset harmful carbon dioxide being emitted from fossil fuels. This means that we not only need to replace fossil fuels with alternative forms of fuels, we also need to plant new trees and forests to make up for what we’ve already released. But new trees and forests take decades to mature. This means, we must also appreciate and protect the trees that we already have.
Space Agencies like NASA use satellites to gather data on trees all around the world, from their structure and height, to how carbon moves through the ecosystem. Knowing the height of a tree helps scientists measure how much carbon is stored in that tree.
The measurements collected by people all around the world through apps such as GLOBE Observer App then help scientists compare and validate the data they collect from satellites!
Who can participate?
Anyone! Families, students, teachers, adults, seniors. Science is better when we do it together.
By participating in this challenge, you’ll be:
What do I need to participate?
All you need is a phone or a tablet, and NASA’s GLOBE Observer App installed.
How do I use the App?
After you download the app, you’ll be provided with a step-by-step guide on how to measure and submit tree height data.
But if you’d like more information, make sure to tune in to our Facebook webinar on the 13th of October at 6pm.
During the webinar, apart from exploring the app itself, we’ll be learning more about the origins of GLOBE Malta, why measuring tree height is important, how NASA uses the data collected and why citizen science observations are vital for researchers around the world who are trying to understand how our planet is changing every single day.
Speakers:
The session will also be recorded for those of you who won’t be able to join us on the day.
What else can I do to help?
Help us spread the word on why trees are important and why we need to protect them. It starts with us.
