The European space program **Copernicus**, specialized in **climate monitoring**, presented **Thermal Trace**, a new application designed for **journalists, scientists, policymakers, and citizens** interested in understanding how [**thermal stress**](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/la-gran-barrera-de-coral-de-australia-muestra-el-mayor-retroceso-en-39-anos-producto-de-un-nuevo-blanqueamiento-masivo/) has evolved on the planet.
The tool allows to **analyze maps, graphics, and historical series** that cover more than **85 years of data**, excluding only the last five days.
### What Thermal Trace measures and why it is relevant
In a context where **heatwaves** are becoming more **frequent and intense** due to [**climate change**](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/el-glaciar-ventina-en-italia-deja-de-ser-medible-por-metodos-tradicionales-a-raiz-del-cambio-climatico/), understanding how the human body responds to extreme heat becomes **crucial**.
This was expressed by **Rebecca Emerton**, a scientist from the Copernicus team: “**The repeated heatwaves we have experienced recently are just a glimpse of the impact of thermal stress on people**”.
The application uses the **Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI)**, which not only measures the ambient temperature but incorporates variables such as:
– Relative humidity
– Wind speed
– Solar radiation
– Heat emitted by surfaces and the environment
Based on this combination, the UTCI calculates the **“experienced temperature”**, that is, how the human body actually **perceives** the climatic conditions, allowing to assess the **health risk** in different scenarios.
### Free access and global visualization
Interactive maps and historical graphics to empower citizens.
Available **for free** on its website, Thermal Trace offers an intuitive interface to **visualize climate trends** on a global scale.
Users can explore how **thermal stress** has changed in different regions of the world, from **1930 to the present**, with tools that facilitate **temporal and geographical comparison**.
“We want the data to be more accessible than ever,” Emerton said, highlighting the goal of **empowering decision-makers** and the general public in the face of the challenges of global warming.
### Copernicus: science applied to planetary well-being
The European program that observes Earth to protect its inhabitants.
Copernicus is the **flagship program of the European Union** dedicated to **earth observation**, and is implemented through six thematic areas:
– Land
– Marine Environment
– Atmosphere
– Climate Change
– Emergency Management
– Security
Two of its most prominent services —the **Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)** and the **[Climate Change Service (C3S)](https://climate.copernicus.eu/)**— are managed by the **European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts**, and its data allows the scientific community to **better understand the climate system**, the **impact of human activity**, and design **strategies to protect future generations**.
