The Pio XI glacier in Chile’s Southern Ice Field is South America's largest, and one of the few glaciers in the world which continues to advance despite global climate change. Several factors may contribute to its growth, including high precipitation, relatively stable temperatures, and its proximity to active volcanoes.  The glacier has grown...

Since 2012, Copernicus has provided data and services to users worldwide, supporting advancements in Earth Observation (EO) and addressing environmental, emergency, and security challenges. As these challenges continue to evolve, this key component of the EU Space Programme must adapt to effectively address them.

After a start to the season characterised by an absence of precipitation, the recent cold wave which swept across much of Europe has brought abundant snowfall to the Alps, transforming the mountain range into a snowy landscape ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. The cold temperatures of the last few days have favoured significant snow...

On 11 January 2025, Madagascar and the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean were hit by Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi. The storm brought heavy rainfall and winds exceeding 115 km/h, causing at least 3 casualties in Madagascar. Dikeledi then brought heavy rain to Mayotte, leading to flooding and mudslides on the archipelago. This storm...

As of 13 January 2025, the three fires affecting Los Angeles, California since 7 January continue to burn, spurred on by strong winds. The fires have been deemed among the most destructive in the city’s history, claiming at least 24 lives. The largest fire, in the Palisades neighbourhood, has burnt over 9,000 hectares and destroyed around 5,300...

Since 1985, the European Commission has designated cities across Europe as Capitals of Culture in order to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, increase European citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area, and foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities. To become a Capital of Culture,...

On 9 January 2025, UK authorities issued weather warnings for ice, heavy snowfall, and extreme cold, with temperatures plunging as low as -13.3C in some areas. These warnings followed more than 60 flood alerts across England and Wales issued on 8 January. Additionally, an amber cold health alert was declared for all of England until midday on...

A fast-moving fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills of California, USA, on 7 January 2025, threatening iconic Los Angeles landmarks and thousands of homes. The fire was one of four major blazes in the region, which have caused more than five casualties, destroyed at least 2,000 structures, and led to evacuation orders for more than 130,000...

Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant that has significantly impacted Lake Naivasha's ecosystem and local economy. Introduced in the late 1980s, it has proliferated rapidly, forming dense mats which obstruct waterways, hinder fishing activities, and disrupt the ecological balance. The infestation has led to reduced dissolved oxygen levels...

Read the Newsletter #4 to meet the project and check out our current Activities and Actions!

As of 6 January 2025, seven states in the US have declared emergencies following a widespread winter storm which has caused travel disruptions, school closures, and at least five casualties. The storm, which began on 4 January, brought heavy snowfall and extreme cold to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions while also affecting...

Oceans are essential ecosystems for our planet, yet they face threats from climate change, pollution, and other human-caused factors. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development has outlined ten challenges to address in the coming years to ensure we manage our oceans and their resources sustainably—and Earth Observation (EO) data...

In the past decade, successful conservation efforts concerning the Iberian lynx, including rewilding, recovery of key prey species, and wildlife corridors, have allowed the status of the species to go from Endangered to Vulnerable. Captive breeding programs in Portugal have been key to increasing the number of Iberian lynxes, leading to the...

On 4 September 2024, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite was launched from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. Since then, it has acquired images of our planet as part of the calibration process, helping us to better monitor and understand the state of the Earth and its ecosystems.  As of 13 December 2024, a preliminary Sentinel-2C...

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, supports EU Member States and Schengen-associated countries in managing the EU’s external borders and combating cross-border crime. To this end, it has established the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR), which includes a range of services, such as the EUROSUR Fusion Services,...

The Serranía de Hornocal, located in northern Argentina, is a striking mountain range famous for its vibrant, multicolored slopes. Known as the ‘Mountain of 14 Colours’, it provides one of the most stunning landscapes in the Andes. The colours are the result of mineral-rich sedimentary layers, creating a vivid palette of reds, purples, greens,...

Dealurile Homoroadelor, located in central Romania, is a picturesque area of rolling hills rich in biodiversity. As a Natura 2000 site, it forms part of the European Union’s network of protected areas, aimed at preserving rare and threatened species and habitats. With a surface area of 367 squared kilometres, the region features a mosaic of...

Witznitz Solar Park, located near Leipzig in eastern Germany, is Europe’s largest photovoltaic plant. Built on a former lignite mining site, the park spans approximately 500 hectares, with an estimated capacity of more than 650 MW and over 1.1 million solar modules. 160 hectares of the park’s land have been dedicated to environmental...

Situated on the Vistula River in north-central Poland, Toruń is one of the country’s oldest and most historically significant cities. Established during the Teutonic Order’s Christianisation of Eastern Europe, Toruń is renowned for its well-preserved architecture, including the Teutonic Castle, Old Town, and New Town, earning it UNESCO World...