Front Matter -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Summary -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Earth Observations from Space: The Early History -- 3 Weather -- 4 Earth's Radiation Budget and the Role of Clouds and Aerosols in the Climate System -- 5 Atmospheric Composition: Ozone Depletion and Global Pollution -- 6 Hydrology -- 7 Cryosphere -- 8 Ocean Dynamics -- 9 Ecosystems and the Carbon Cycle -- 10 Land-Use and Land-Cover Change -- 11 Solid Earth -- 12 Conclusions -- References -- Appendixes -- Appendix A: Examples of Scientific Accomplishments and Relevant Satellite Missions -- Appendix B: Acronyms -- Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff.