The Ocean is the planet’s main carbon pump and has the largest capacity for storing heat. Understanding climate mechanisms primarily means understanding the ocean. But how can we learn more about this immense maritime
territory?
Over the last 30 years, observation systems for the ocean have made giant leaps. The development of satellites for space oceanography and collection of environmental data has been the driving force behind this revolution. From the start, CLS was a pioneer in the field, and receives, processes, and qualifies these satellite data for the entire international community. As world leader in altimetry and the exclusive operator of the ARGOS system for location and collection of environmental data, CLS works daily with experts in climatology. Today, they provide us with their perspective and give us an update on the planet’s health.
The processing and qualification of data on mean sea level done by CLS is fundamental.
Mean sea level is rising. It is a key indicator of current global warming. The time-series of sea level measurements taken by CLS are also used to validate the climate models developed to simulate future changes.
Why the sea rises p.4
The Ocean : Key to our climate p.8
