Landsat’s Role in Managing Water Resources
Water is essential for life. A third of Earth’s populace has unreliable access to clean water. With current population growth and environmental trends, the U.N. Environmental Program estimates that 1.8 billion people will face water scarcity by 2025. Water means survival for people and other species we rely upon to thrive, making proper stewardship of our water resources vital. Good decisions require good data. Since 1972 the Landsat series of satellites has been providing such data. Landsat-based decisions on how to manage limited water resources have impacted millions of people worldwide. From finding water for refugees in arid nations to reducing pollution in our national waterways, Landsat enables decisions that directly help people.
![During the COVID-19 pandemic less particulate matter has been accumulating on snow.](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/dirtysnow-solangvalleyindia-timbostillinger.png)
AGU Panel Explores Environmental Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as Observed from Space
Landsat shows some of the ways in which COVID-19 is changing the environment.
![Africa Flores](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AfricaFlores-scifri_1.jpg)
Africa Flores: Using Satellite Data to Monitor Algal Blooms
Scientist and Landsat data user Africa Flores recently talked with Science Friday about her work.
![When the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska warms up during summer](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/npr-a_helicopter_0.png)
Satellite Data Meets Cellular DNA for Species of Interest
Scientists are combining data from water samples containing fish DNA with satellite data to find native fish and identify their habitats.
![Tule sensor](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Spinoff2020_Images_ee_5.jpg)
Satellite Imagery Helps Farmers Cut Water Use in Half
A young start-up is using satellite data to give California farmers better information about water, which can translate into water savings or bigger yield for the same input.
![Denise Moyle Nevada farmer](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/denisemoyle_nevadafarmer_glow_by_g_photography_0-2.jpg)
Transforming Water Management in the U.S. West with Satellite Data
A new web-based platform called OpenET will soon be putting satellite data in the hands of farmers, water managers and conservation groups to accelerate improvements and innovations in water management.
![Damage evolution in Amundsen Sea Embayment as witnessed by satellites including NASA/USGS Landsat](https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fig1.2.jpg)
Antarctica: Cracks in the Ice
Combined satellite imagery have afforded researchers a new, accurate picture of the rapid development of damage in the shear zones on the ice shelves of Pine Island and Thwaites.