Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2006

Geoinformation and Earth Sciences 23 sometimes without our being aware of it. When ice in the Arctic and Antarctic melts and the sea level rises by a metre, Hong Kong may become the next New Orleans. CUHK is a comprehensive, research- based university. Geoinformation and earth sciences should become one of our fundamental programmes, providing a solid scientific base for other studies such as environmental modeling, urban and regional planning, disaster analysis andmanagement, and other relevant studies. Our students should have a deeper understanding of our earth, whether they be studying engineering, science, business or the arts and humanities. For instance, business students need to know where the resources and the natural disaster risks are, so they can make wise investment decisions. Geoinformation and earth sciences help students to think globally.’ To realize its plans for the postgraduate programme, Prof. Lin says the ISEIS needs at least five new professors specializing in one or more of the following areas: solid earth (e.g. earthquake and tsunami) atmosphere (e.g. rain and typhoon) oceanography renewable energy biodiversity and ecosystem transportation and urban environmental problems It has hired two with University funding — Prof. ZhangYuanzhi fromHelsinkiUniversity of Technology of Finland specializing in solid earth and coastal environment, and Prof. Chiu Long Sang from George Mason • • • • • • University and NASAof the US specializing in atmosphere and oceanography. Contributions to Solving World Environmental Problems Besides natural disasters and urbanization, remote sensing helps governments and other organizations to understand, monitor and solve some of the world’s most pressing problems — pollution, energy and food. For instance, using infrared and microwave remote sensing, ISEIS investigates the water quality of the Pearl River Delta, keeps an eye on red tide and oil spills in the South China Sea, and identifies wind fields and biomass for conversion into energy. China is a rice-eating country with a population of 1.3 billion, according to official statistics released in 2005. The institute helps the central government of the PRC to gather data on water courses and soil suitability in order to improve the quality of rice grown and to estimate the yield. The institute also contributes to precision farming in China. Precision farming is farming that carefully tailors soil and crop management to fit the different conditions found in each field. It employs three technologies — remote sensing, geographic information systems and satellite positioning systems. The data benefits governments and farmers by helping them to distinguish crop species and locate stress conditions. Conclusion ISEIS has a very short history so initial investment is crucial. ‘We need excellent scientists and teachers in order to have excellent students and develop excellent research topics. We have to start off on the right foot. For the time being, immigrating to other planets is still not an option. We are better off understanding and protecting the Blue Planet,’ concludes Prof. Lin. The online version of the Geoinformation and Earth Sciences brochure is available at www.cuhk.edu.hk/v6/en/cuhk/strategicplan/ fivemajor_ges.html . Image: ESA/ENVISAT satellite