About this book:

*Eyes from Orbit: Earth Observation for Climate and Crisis Response* serves as a comprehensive manual for utilizing satellite imagery and geospatial analytics to address environmental and humanitarian challenges. The book transitions from the fundamental physics of remote sensing—covering orbits, sensor types (optical, SAR, thermal), and radiometric correction—to the practical engineering required for operational workflows. It emphasizes the importance of "analysis-ready data," detailing the rigorous preprocessing steps of cloud masking, tiling, and harmonization necessary to turn raw pixels into reliable evidence for decision-makers.

The text provides deep technical dives into domain-specific applications, including wildfire detection, flood inundation mapping, and agricultural monitoring. By integrating multispectral indices with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and thermal sensing, the book illustrates how to maintain persistent surveillance even under adverse weather conditions or during the night. It also explores advanced analytical techniques like time-series breakpoint detection and machine learning to distinguish between natural seasonal cycles and abrupt crisis-driven changes, such as deforestation or infrastructure failure.

Beyond the technical mechanics, the book focuses heavily on the "last mile" of data delivery—product design, dashboards, and early warning triggers. It argues that the value of Earth observation is realized only when information is communicated clearly, ethically, and with transparent uncertainty to those in a position to act. The final chapters address the institutional side of remote sensing, offering guidance on program design, cloud-scale processing, and the ethical safeguards required to protect vulnerable populations while monitoring global crises.

Ultimately, the book frames Earth observation not as a collection of static images, but as a dynamic infrastructure for global resilience. It advocates for a shift toward cloud-native, automated systems that integrate satellite data with field observations and biophysical models. By prioritizing capacity building, sustainability, and responsible use, the text provides a roadmap for NGOs, governments, and the private sector to leverage orbital perspective for timely, life-saving interventions in an increasingly volatile climate.