ESA launches the Living Planet programme
On 7 June 1999, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched its new Earth observation programme, called 'The Living Planet'. ESA are hailing the programme as the most comprehensive Earth observation programme ever to be launched. The programme calls upon private funding of research and development to complement public investment, helping to cut costs considerably in comparison to ESA's present expenditure. The Living Planet projects are intended to deepen our understanding of how the Earth 'works', and over the forthcoming years each project should contribute to continuous, accurate, environmental monitoring of the planet, of its climate and of global change.