Events

Satellite based remote sensing has transformed our ability to monitor the planet,  but some of Earth's most critical ecosystems still remain hidden in plain sight. In this talk, Dr. Lola Fatoyinbo explores how data from space borne instruments collecting radar​, lidar, and optical satellite data are uncovering the stories of forests, wetlands, and mangrove ecosystems worldwide. Drawing on over 20 years of fieldwork across Africa and the Americas, this talk will reveal how space-based observations are reshaping our understanding of how and where ecosystems are changing,  where carbon is stored, and who is most affected. The talk examines how these hidden stories carry urgent implications for climate action, environmental justice, and conservation policy, while making the case that the awe we feel in nature and the beauty we can see from orbit is a crucial part of driving forward science and exploration.  She also looks ahead at how emerging tools like AI models and multi-sensor fusion are opening new frontiers in Exploration and Earth observation, and driving new ways to protect the landscapes that inspire us.