Copernicus satellites could help with migration waves

The European Union launched a third satellite within the framework of the Copernicus space programme. Its presence in orbit will strengthen the EU's abilities to monitor environmental changes, stated European Commission Vice-chair for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič. He explained that the Copernicus satellites will help anticipate and better manage any new migration flows based on the monitoring of climate change, as refugees don't only flee conflicts, but also uninhabitable areas caused by changes in climate. Šefčovič said that Copernicus is the fourth largest supplier of data in the world. These satellites offer qualitative monitoring of the Earth's surface, seas, weather and climate change. According to Šefčovič, data acquired from Copernicus are used for better planning of sea lanes and for helping the energy sector by discovering new reserves of oil and gas. They are important for rescue missions in the case of natural catastrophes and for searching for castaways. The whole system of satellites under the Copernicus programme for 2014-20 will cost some €4.3 billion.