C.I.A. spy satellites to track climate change

Top scientists and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency are collaborating in an effort to assess the hidden complexities of environmental change.  The scientists involved are mostly from academia and all involved all have secret clearance. The C.I.A. runs the program and arranges for scientists to draw on federal surveillance equipment.

According to an article published in the New York Times on January 5, 2010, spy satellites and other classified sensors will be used to seek natural phenomena such as clouds and glaciers, deserts and tropical forests

From 1992 to 2001, a scientific group had advised the federal government on environmental surveillance. Measurements of Earth Data for Environmental Analysis (Medea) had sought to discover if intelligence archives and assets could shed light on environmental stewardship.

The collaboration, which was shut down under the George W. Bush administration, has the backing of the director of the CIA. The monitoring program has little or no impact on regular intelligence gathering. The classified sensors will be used when they are otherwise idle or passing over wilderness.

The monitoring effort will be cloaked in secrecy.  For example, the images of the oceans that have been declassified have had their sharpness reduced in order to hide the abilities of the reconnaissance satellites.

The program is not without critics.  The Times quotes Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, as saying that the C.I.A. should be fighting terrorists, “not spying on sea lions.”  After the recent attempted bombing of an airliner on Christmas Day, criticism will probably grow. However, it continues to be supported by former  Vice President Al Gore and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-CA who is chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee

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