by Dale Elizabeth Corey Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) international research team took a look at the atmosphere’s ability to cleanse itself of pollutants and some greenhouse gases. Findings were more positive than expected. The atmosphere is doing pretty well against environmental changes. A new analysis shows […]
A Tribute to the Shuttle Program and Its Earth Science Payloads – Part 2
September 17, 2011
by Dale Elizabeth Corey This posting covers the Space Shuttle Program’s Earth Science payloads that were flown on the Space Shuttle, America’s Space Transportation System (STS) from 1981 to 2010. (For the sake of space, not all payloads will be covered.) STS-53/HERCULES, December 2, 1992, Earth Observation Mission: Among other Department of Defense experiments, STS-53 […]
Review of Pew Charitable Trust Reports: Climate Change 101
September 17, 2011
By Sara Avrams Climate Change 101 is a series of 10 brief reports on aspects of the threats posed by global climate change. Although each of the 10 chapters stands on its own merits, and can be downloaded individually, I recommend downloading the whole document.The reader will find it a gripping read. Each chapter has […]
Mississippi River Flooding Trends
September 16, 2011
by Dale Elizabeth Corey In early May 2011, Memphis, TN, faced massive flooding from America’s largest river, the Mississippi. Melting from winter snows and April rainfalls contributed to the river cresting at 47.78 feet at Memphis on May 14, 2011 (the second highest level on record). Since 1993, this is the second “500-year flood” the […]
A Tribute to the Shuttle Program and Its Earth Science Payloads – Part 1
September 16, 2011
by Dale Elizabeth Corey In memory of America’s last Space Shuttle on July 8th, 2011 we are providing a four-part series on Shuttle Transportation Systems (STS) earth science payloads, flown from 1981 to 2003. These geoscience payloads provided studies of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere, as well as the solid earth. After the launch […]
Climate Change and the Spread of Disease
September 16, 2011
by Dale Elizabeth Carey Countries and states are preparing for anticipated problems caused by climate change. Nine states across the United States have action plans for impacts brought about by greenhouse gas emissions, including “extreme heat, air pollution, disease, drought, and flooding caused by storms and rising sea levels.” (Zimmerman, 2011) In California, climate change […]
The BASC advises U.S. Government about Climate Change
September 4, 2011
The Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC) is a unit within the Division of Life and Earth Studies, a part of the National Research Council (NRC). But that name can be confusing, and one of several that you might hear. The NRC is the “working arm” of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), which […]