From August 18th to 19th, the 3rd Workshop on Cloud Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Radiation and Renewable Energy Application (CARE 2025) was held at Lanzhou University. The workshop was initiated by Professor Husi Letu from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It was jointly hosted by AIR CAS, and the State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, and locally organized by Lanzhou University. The workshop aimed to draw greater attention from scholars and early-career researchers to the fundamental scientific questions behind cloud properties and radiation remote sensing. Its objectives were to deepen the understanding of weather, climate change, and the interaction mechanisms within the cloud-radiation-climate system. Furthermore, the event sought to foster academic exchange and collaboration in related fields, striving to advance the development of atmospheric remote sensing and associated disciplines in China.

The opening ceremony of the workshop

Opening speeches for the workshop were delivered respectively by Ximeng Chen, Vice President of Lanzhou University; Wei Li, Director of Division five of the Department of Earth Sciences at the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Yirong Wu (Academician of CAS), from AIR CAS; Jianping Huang (Academician of CAS), Director of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety at Lanzhou University; and Husi Letu, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth. The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Zhongwei Huang, Dean of the College of Atmospheric Sciences at Lanzhou University. More than 200 experts, scholars, and early-career researchers from renowned universities and research institutes across China attended the workshop.

Greeting speeches from the organizers

In the opening ceremony, the distinguished guests spoke on key themes including the development of atmospheric sciences, technological innovation, remote sensing technology, academic exchange, and talent cultivation, expressing high hopes for the future of the discipline. Yirong Wu envisioned that through CARE, scientists could establish an independent and controllable global monitoring system using indigenous satellites. Jianping Huang encouraged attendees to be bold in innovation and called upon senior scientists to mentor the next generation. Husi Letu expressed his hope that the CARE platform would be leveraged to develop high-performance models and products to serve the nation's critical needs.

The workshop featured 11 plenary presentations. The opening plenary session was co-chaired by Professor Husi Letu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Professor Jiming Li from Lanzhou University. The workshop also included four parallel sessions with the following themes: Remote Sensing Techniques for Cloud and Precipitation Properties, Mechanisms of Variation in Cloud and Precipitation Properties, Aerosol Remote Sensing and Environmental Effects, and Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Renewable Energy. A total of 81 experts and scholars delivered academic presentations across these sessions. Additionally, a dedicated poster session was held, featuring 43 research abstracts.

Selected speakers on the workshop

During the workshop, participants engaged in lively discussions centered on the four main themes: remote sensing of cloud and precipitation, mechanisms of their variation, aerosol remote sensing and environmental effects, and atmospheric radiative transfer and renewable energy. Attendees freely exchanged opinions, shared profound insights, and sparked intellectual debate, collectively seeking solutions to challenging scientific problems.

Workshop highlights

The CARE Workshop concluded as a resounding success, providing a vital platform for academic exchange and promoting the application of advanced remote sensing technologies for national and regional development. During the closing ceremony, it was announced that the Fourth CARE Workshop will be hosted by Xi'an University of Technology. The event received strong support from the Satellite Meteorology Committee and the Atmospheric Physics Committee of the Chinese Meteorological Society, as well as National Remote Sensing Bulletin.