The net increase in global temperature since pre-industrial times is primarily driven by the rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄). CO₂ accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total temperature increase, while CH₄ contributes about one-third. However, methane is far more potent as a greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 84 times […]

Proposed as one of the first four pilot virtual constellations in 2006, the Atmospheric Composition Virtual Constellation (AC-VC) was formed to sustain a systematic capability to provide essential observations of atmospheric composition from space. The constellation set out with the goal of addressing the following questions: How is ozone recovery responding to the Montreal protocol […]

Systematic observations of the Earth’s atmosphere and surface from ground-based, airborne, and space-based sensors are absolutely crucial for the characterization of Earth’s climate. They are what make the work of the UNFCCC, the IPCC and the Paris Agreement possible, and more than half of the 60 or so Essential Climate Variables – the physical, chemical, […]

The CEOS Atmospheric Composition Virtual Constellation (AC-VC) is pleased to invite you to our first virtual Topical Seminar on 13 July 2021 at 13:-00-15:30 UTC (06:00-08:30 US PDT, 09:00-11:30 US EDT, 15:00-17:30 CEST, 22:00-00:30 KST/JST). The seminar will begin with an invited talk (30 min presentation + 10 min Q&A) followed by a series of short talks […]