The latest Down To Earth: A podcast for Geoscientists by Geoscientist features Research Professor Inbal Becker-Reshef focusing on food security.

Presented by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, the podcast invited Becker-Reshef, director of NASA Harvest, to share her insights on using remote sensing for agriculture amidst rising global food insecurity.

Becker Rashef sheds light on the significant impact of climate change on food supply, with a third of greenhouse gas emissions originating from the global food system, along other factors such as conflict and political instability. She emphasizes the importance of remote sensing in providing critical information for policies supporting food security, aiding organizations like the World Food Program and USAID, and the challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030.

The conversation shifts to GeoGLAM's Crop Monitor for AMIS, providing monthly global crop condition maps for major crops. Becker-Reshef details the collaboration involving approximately 40 organizations, which demonstrates the power of collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

Other topics include first up-to-date harmonized global crop type map for major commodity crops, the need for ground data in smallholder systems, and ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and applications in agricultural monitoring. Rashef emphasizes the importance of sustained partnerships, informed decision-making, and the role of individuals in combating climate change for improved food security.