What is the nature of the interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere? In what ways does the plant cover of the Earth vary? How are the polar caps changing? What impact do human activities have on the environment? Understanding the complex phenomena of the planet's environment is a priority for the scientific community today.

An in-depth study of our planet will enable us to better understand the multitude of developments and changes taking place, which result from a complex combination of human activities and natural processes. The phenomenon, global warming, and the holes in the ozone layer are good examples.

Exploring the phenomena responsible for these changes, and anticipating their consequences, are major concerns for many international and governmental organizations, as well as for the population as a whole.

Envisat is the most important European programme ever conceived to monitor the state of our planet and the impact of our activities. The satellite collects an unprecedented wealth of information each day, enabling researchers to study the evolution of environmental phenomena with unrivalled precision.

_{Last updated: February 2008}