In the town of Rust, visible in this image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, wine growers have been experimenting with new grape varieties that are better suited to the changing climate. This innovation is a response to the rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns that have created difficulties for the...

This image, captured by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 4 June 2023, shows phytoplankton blooms painting vibrant streaks off the coasts of France and Britain.   These tiny powerhouses silently run the Earth's ecosystems, producing about half of the world’s oxygen. They serve as the foundation of the marine food web and support...

Extensive forest fires in Québec's North Shore region have caused the displacement of thousands of residents. The relentless fires, driven by dry weather conditions and strong winds, have posed a severe threat to numerous communities in the region. The displaced residents are grappling with the uncertainty over when they will be able to return...

Múlajökull is one of the glacial tongues that extends off the southeast portion of the of the Hofsjökull glacier system, the third largest in Iceland, located in the central highlands. Glacial tongues are long, narrow extensions of ice that flow down valleys or through mountain passes from larger ice caps or glaciers.  The ice margin of the...

The high pressures that prevailed over Northern Europe in recent days allowed the acquisition of this image on 1 June 2023 by the OLCI (Ocean and Land Colour Imager) instrument, carried by one of the two Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites. It is one of the first mostly cloud-free images of Ireland of 2023, showing the lush vegetation covering its...

The Oroville reservoir, formed by the eponym dam, which ranks among the tallest in the United States, is the second-largest reservoir in California. In recent years, it faced significant challenges due to prolonged and severe drought conditions. The persistent dry spells caused the reservoir to reach alarmingly low water levels. However, it has...

The UNESCO Executive Board has recently approved the inclusion of 18 new sites into the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, expanding the total count to 195 geoparks across 48 different countries. Among the newly added geoparks is the Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark in Greece. The site, with a total area of 177 square kilometres, is renowned for...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 29 May, shows the wildfires which are devastating Nova Scotia and forced more than 16,000 Canadians to evacuate their homes.  Emergency response teams are actively engaged in fighting the fires, but the scale and intensity of the infernos have made containment efforts...

Lake Chiemsee, often referred to as the Bavarian Sea, is an exceptional natural area located in southern Germany, in the region (Lander) of Bavaria. The lake covers an area of approximately 80 square kilometres, making it the largest in the Lander. The lake, which plays a vital role in the region's ecosystem, is recognised as a Natura 2000...

Early signs of coral bleaching observed in Redang Island, Malaysia The consequences of record-breaking sea temperatures in recent months are becoming increasingly evident, particularly coral bleaching. The early signs of this phenomenon have been observed in Redang Island, Malaysia, which is visible in this image acquired by one of the...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 22 May 2023, shows the Muddus National Park in Sweden. Spanning over 500 square kilometres, this park represents a unique and well-preserved example of boreal forest ecosystems. Its landscapes showcase the key characteristics of boreal forests, such as the dominance of...

The region of Emilia Romagna, in central Italy, is currently grappling with the aftermath of the devastating flood crisis of the past week. The situation remains challenging, with several landslides triggered by the intense rainfall and saturated soils severely affecting road traffic. These images, acquired by the Copernicus Sentinel-2...

Canada is currently experiencing an extremely severe fire season, which is having far-reaching consequences. The smoke plume generated by the fires has not only blanketed the skies over North America but has also begun to reach as far as northern Europe on 23 May. A notable instance occurred on 25 May, when one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3...

Guam, a tropical paradise in the western Pacific, is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Mawar as the storm gains strength and tracks towards the island. Mawar’s eye is expected to get very near Guam – and likely make landfall – at around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday 24th May.  Local authorities have issued evacuation orders to ensure the...

Out-of-control wildfires raging across western Canada continue to pose a significant threat to both populated areas and natural landscapes.Entire communities have been forced to evacuate due to the escalating inferno. Despite the relentless efforts of firefighters and emergency services, the blazes have proved challenging to contain and...

Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region known for its rich history and culture, is being devastated by unprecedented floods which started in mid-May 2023.  Heavy rains led to the overflow of twenty-three rivers across the region, causing widespread damage and displacing more than 30,000 residents. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 14...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 16 May 2023, shows Iles Chausey, a pristine natural reserve situated off the coast of Normandy, France.  Renowned for its rich biodiversity and picturesque landscapes, the Iles Chausey archipelago is among the most iconic Natura 2000 (N2K) sites.  20 May marks the 31st...

This image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 10 May 2023 shows Helsinki, the capital of Finland.  Helsinki is renowned for its architectural beauty, rich culture, and close connection to the Baltic Sea. According to a recent study published by the Aalto University, Finland will face new challenges in the coming years...

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 14 May 2023, shows Ny-Ålesund, a settlement in the northwestern part of Spitsbergen, Svalbard.  Ny-Ålesund has considerable international importance as a scientific research base for the study of the polar environment and the impact of climate change on this archipelago....

Canada grapples with an unrelenting and devastating wildfire crisis, showing no signs of abating.  Alberta continues to be severely affected, with approximately 525,000 hectares of land scorched, making the 2023 fire season the fifth-busiest on record. Unfortunately, the situation is no better in other provinces. This image, captured by one of...