What they do
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) is the European Union's Earth observation program providing free, open access to climate data. C3S produces the monthly Global Climate Highlights (the data behind 'hottest month ever' headlines), seasonal forecasts, historical reanalysis datasets (ERA5), and climate indicators. All data is free to download and use.
Why they matter
Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis is the most comprehensive global climate dataset in existence, providing hourly data for temperature, precipitation, wind, and other variables from 1940 to present at 31km resolution. When scientists study climate trends, when journalists report on temperature records, and when policymakers assess climate risk, they are frequently using Copernicus data. The EU's commitment to keeping this data free and open makes it the backbone of European and global climate research.
How to support
Access free climate data at climate.copernicus.eu for research, education, and journalism. The Climate Data Store provides download access to decades of Earth observation data. Advocate for continued EU funding of Earth observation programs.
Key project to explore
The ERA5 reanalysis dataset provides hourly global climate data from 1940 to present at 31km resolution, making it the most comprehensive freely available climate dataset for researchers, policymakers, and journalists.