Rapid Action for Citizens with Earth Observation
Launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission in response to the COVID-19 crisis, RACE (Rapid Action for Citizens with Earth Observation) is a flagship initiative that showcases the potential of Earth Observation (EO) to address pressing societal challenges.
35% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa still lacks access to basic drinking water services.
According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2023/2024, environmental degradation—including water scarcity and coastal erosion—significantly undermines food and water security, particularly in fragile regions
Urban areas are responsible for nearly 70% of global CO2 emissions and consume around 75% of the world’s energy.
Source : UNEP
Extreme heat events are increasing in Europe, with urban areas experiencing up to 10°C higher surface temperatures due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. In Austria, this is a growing concern, especially in densely built-up regions.
The Baltic Sea region is warming twice as fast as the global average, placing increasing pressure on cities, agriculture, and forests to adapt to climate impacts.
Source : European Geosciences Union
Arctic sea ice is shrinking at a rate of about 13% per decade, and the region has warmed nearly four times faster than the global average over the past 40 years.
Source : IPCC
According to the UN, over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources, with nutrient runoff being one of the primary contributors to coastal eutrophication.
