Auhor: Jiří Rous
In late June, I travelled to Vienna to attend the ESA Living Planet Symposium (LPS25), one of the most significant global events in Earth observation. The 2025 edition gathered thousands of participants — scientists, industry professionals, policymakers and students — from around the world, all united by a common interest in Earth science, climate action and sustainable development.
With a packed programme of plenaries, sessions, posters and exhibitions, LPS25 provided a unique opportunity to explore advances in remote sensing, Earth-system monitoring, sensor technologies and sustainability applications. Themes ranged from Earth-science frontiers to digital innovations and green solutions and included global cooperation and policy support — reflecting the symposium’s commitment to moving “from observation to climate action and sustainability for Earth.”
During the symposium, I presented my research as a poster — the same project I had showcased at my previous conference – EARSeL. The poster drew interest from attendees across disciplines, ranging from remote sensing specialists to experts in agroecology and land-use science. The forum offered a great platform for exchange: I had the chance to discuss methodological approaches, field challenges, and potential applications in sustainable land management.
Interestingly, many participants saw value in bridging UAV-based data with ground-level and sensor-based observations — a synergy that resonates well with broader Earth-observation goals presented at LPS25. The exchange of ideas reinforced my conviction that such integrative methods can make a meaningful contribution to enhanced spatial monitoring and ecosystem-based climate resilience.
Attending LPS25 was professionally and personally enriching. The event facilitated new contacts, collaborations and perspectives — from scientists working with Earth-observation satellites to specialists in data processing, ecosystem monitoring and environmental policy. The atmosphere was energising, you could sense a shared purpose — to harness observational data for tangible climate action and sustainable management.
I left Vienna with renewed motivation, fresh contacts, and a clearer vision for the project’s next phases. Participating in LPS25 reaffirmed for me that Earth observation, when paired with thoughtful research and collaboration, can be a powerful tool for sustainable land-use, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.
