Professor Monique Bernier of INRS chairs IGARSS 2014
Professor Monique Bernier of Centre Eau Terre Environnement at INRS is chairing the joint organizing committee of the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) and the 35th Canadian Symposium on Remote Sensing, whose theme is Energy and Our Changing Planet. From July 13 to 18, 2014, over 1,800 participants from around the world are expected to attend the biggest symposium on remote sensing in the world, sponsored this year by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) and the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS-SCT). This is the first time in the event's 34 year history that it has taken place in Quebec and been chaired by a professor from INRS.
Members of the geoscience and remote sensing community will discuss scientific advances and recent applications in remote sensing and address the critical issue of energy, a key topic worldwide. At a plenary session on Monday, July 14, keynote speakers from Quebec, France, the United States, and South Africa will discuss remote sensing technologies and how they can be used to manage energy resources. Their presentations will be preceded by opening remarks by retired general, Walter Natynczyk, President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA); Dr. Brian Gray, Assistant Deputy Minister, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada; Dr. Marina Ruggieri, Director, IEEE Division IX; Dr. Melba Crawford, President, IEEE GRSS; and Dr. Anne Smith, Vice President, CRSS-SCT. Two prestigious GRSS-CRSS awards will also be presented, followed by the GRSS awards ceremony hosted by Dr. Werner Wiesbeck.
"In addition to the usual thematic sessions, IGARSS 2014 and the 35th Canadian Symposium will also cover remote sensing applied to Arctic research, modeling and energy audits, future satellite missions, global environmental changes, international cooperation, new remote sensing technology, defense, security, and sustainable development," explained Monique Bernier. Other topics include oil, gas, and mining exploration, renewable energy (wind, solar, and bioenergy and hydroelectricity), environmental remediation and assessment, and remote sensing in developing countries.
Researchers and students from Centre Eau Terre Environnement will present papers and posters on their work on detecting and mapping urban floods, estimating wind energy resources in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, monitoring agricultural soil humidity and texture, detecting snow cover, freeze/thaw cycles in subarctic regions, monitoring river and coastal ice, detecting recent changes in forest cover in northern Quebec, the biology and quality of inland waters, and more.
Professor Karem Chokmani from Centre Eau Terre Environnement took care of local arrangements for the meeting. The meeting was made possible through the support of a number of partners, including the Canadian Space Agency; Hydro-Québec; ABB Analytical - Measurement Products; MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.; Intergraph; Tourisme Quebec; Quebec City Tourism; and Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS).
Provided by INRS