The Measurability of Remote Sensing Applications in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Italian Stand and Projects
- Paper number
IAC-08.B1.5.13
- Author
Dr. Simona di Ciaccio, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
It is well-known that there are no unanimous stands regarding the best method to assess the economic benefits of remote sensing applications for the management of environmental resources. We think part of the difficulties are to be found in the public good nature of the remote sensing data used to develop such applications. These methods are even less applicable to Sub-Saharan Africa, the continent most affected by climate change and where natural resources are more than anywhere else linked to human survival. For this reasons, such applications are usually financed by governments and public institutions which implicitly consider them as payment for the premium of an assurance against risks. The paper will discuss major issues associated with the assessment of the economic benefits from remote sensing applications. Some applications that we regard as particularly useful in order to help tackle the specific problems of desertification coming from climate change and human pressure on natural resources in Sub-Saharan Africa are described here. The Italian stand and involvement at national level and in the framework of the European policy, especially within GMES programme, is also described.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)