European scientists want more investment in space assets to supply policymakers with credible means of monitoring output. In 2011 carbon emissions rose 5.9%, roughly 500 million more tons, due to the gradual economic recovery following a brief dip during the 2008 recession. Alarmed at the increase in carbon dioxide and methane gas concentrations over the past several years, scientists say a space-based carbon-monitoring system could provide a credible tool for refining models. But stagnant funding and technological challenges have left international efforts to establish such a capability lagging behind.
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