Featured Article

In Search of Dark Data

Today’s technology allows for nearly instantaneous sharing of information. Researchers and scientists, and the world at large, could benefit greatly from a new adaptation of instant, easier and translatable dating sharing. Earthcube aims to shine a light on so-called dark data.

Chris Edwards, posted on May 22nd, 2013
Earth Observation, Featured Article, Technology

Quick Look

Recommendations and Organization: White House Releases 2013 Strategy for Earth Observation

The cover of the latest report. Image Credit: U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy.The new U.S. National Strategy for Civil Earth Observations for 2013 focuses on the evaluation and prioritization of data gathering. The volume of data collected each day on the ocean, space, air, and soil is enormous, and the Strategy seeks to improve efficiency through organization and prioritization.

Elise Mulder Osenga, posted on May 22nd, 2013
Earth Observation, Politics, Quick Look

How Weather Stations Can Be Used to Measure Evaporation

Figure showing the hydrologic cycle. Image Credit: Mount Orange School.Accurately measuring evaporation is viewed as a challenging problem. But it’s the key to fully understanding the hydrologic cycle. A study by researchers at Columbia Engineering and Boston University analyzes air temperature and humidity measurements acquired from weather stations.

Sian Murphy, posted on May 7th, 2013
Quick Look, Technology, Weather

A Look at AfriGEOSS

From the cover of a Bioenergy Atlas for Africa brochure. Credit: GEO.To promote data democracy and sharing to improve access, AfriGEOSS will encourage collaboration between academic institutions, emphasize the development of open-source software and open systems, and strengthen the understanding of individuals and institutions of technology limitations, proper dissemination methods and relevant software tools.

Cathryn Primrose-Mathisen, posted on May 5th, 2013
Forest Resource Information, Quick Look

2013 Geospatial World Forum to Focus on Monetization

Geospatial world forum logoThe Geospatial World Forum is planned for May 13-16 at Beurs-World Trade Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The Forum's theme is “Monetising Geospatial Values & Practices.”

Nicola De Quattro, posted on April 28th, 2013
Earth Observation, Quick Look

Copernicus and Earth Observation’s Potential for the EU Environment

Illustration of the \Sentinel-3 satellite, developed by ESA for the Copernicus program. Image Credit: ESA.Copernicus aims to produce data to be used by national and local authorities in the European Union for monitoring, modeling, forecasting and reporting. The European Space Agency is developing five new missions called Sentinels specifically for the operational needs of the Copernicus program.

Dimitris Kotzinos, posted on April 5th, 2013
Earth Observation, Politics, Quick Look

St. George’s School VPS

‘Ecosystems Around the World’ is focus for Colombian Student Projects

Seniors gather to reflect during the kickoff of the ecosystems poster project. Image Credit: Maria Carolina Rojas.Scientific posters on Ecosystems, one of the Societal Benefit Areas from the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, are featured here. The posters were created by high school-aged students at St. George’s School in Bogotá, Colombia, as part of a literature review project to identify an ecosystem somewhere in the world with a current problem that could be addressed through Earth observation tools and technology.

Earthzine staff , posted on April 25th, 2013
St. George's School 2013 VPS

Original Articles

The New Generation of Digital Globes – Displaying the Global Activities of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre

Simulation of the globe display in OmniSuite software. Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.In the era of 3D visualization, physical globes remain an important educational and scientific communication tool. The digital globe is the next generation – still providing the simple wonder of a spherical display, but combining it with the sophistication and power of today’s digital imagery.

Stephen Peedell, posted on May 8th, 2013
Applied Sciences, Articles, Earth Observation, Technology

From Awe to Action — Religions and Environmental Awareness

Photograph of a stained glass window. Image Credit: KOMUnewsMany religious leaders and spiritual writers have looked back to their traditions to contribute to the contemporary ecological dialogue. Faith communities around the world are appropriating sustainable practices and promoting environmental awareness. How can we gauge their impact?

Maiju Lehmijoki-Gardner, posted on April 18th, 2013
Articles, Environmental Awareness

Making Science Accessible to Environmental Advocates

The Hercules Inc. chemical plant in Hattiesburg. Image Credit: Martha Merson.The Statistics for Action (SfA) project provides new opportunities for engaging the community with science. The project is coordinated by TERC, a not-for-profit educational research organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in math and science learning. SfA has designed practices, materials, and resources to make data and science more accessible and relevant to communities concerned about their local environment. Two stories, detailed here, illustrate the approach.

Contini-Field and Merson, posted on April 12th, 2013
Articles, Environmental Awareness

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Announcements

Abstracts and Papers being accepted for joint GSDI/AfricaGIS Conference

Image of flags on poles. A combined GSDI 14 and AfricaGIS 2013 conference is planned for November in Ethiopia, and a deadline for abstracts is fast approaching. The conference theme is “Spatial Enablement in Support of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction.”

Earthzine staff , posted on April 12th, 2013
Announcements, Earth Observation

Spring 2013 VPS

Oregon Wildfires, Climate Projects Top Spring DEVELOP VPS

DEVELOP program mockup showing satellite imagery and presentations. Image Credit: DEVELOP A grand prize winner and honorable mentions have been selected in the latest Virtual Poster Session (VPS) by students from NASA’s DEVELOP National Program. The winning project, “Sound the Alarm: Oregon Wildfires Take a Toll on Public Health” was a collaborative effort between six students at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Earthzine staff , posted on April 3rd, 2013
Spring 2013 VPS

Book Review

A Review of ‘Heat: Adventures in the World’s Fiery Places’

The cover of ‘Heat,’ a 2013 book by Bill Streever. Image Credit: Little, Brown and Co.“Heat: Adventures in the World’s Fiery Places” by Bill Streever is a wide-ranging exploration of heat and its effects on a broad span of human and natural phenomena. It follows his national bestseller “Cold,” which covered the opposite end of the thermal spectrum. I have not read “Cold,” but by all accounts both books follow a similar trajectory.

Pam Knox, posted on May 12th, 2013
Reviews

Syndicated Articles

Tornado and Severe Thunderstorms Strike Oklahoma

Satellite imagery of the supercell that brought tornadoes to Oklahoma. Credit: NASAOriginally Published by NASA Earth Observatory - A supercell thunderstorm system spawned a destructive tornado near Oklahoma City on May 20, 2013.

Posted on May 22nd, 2013
Disasters, Earth Observation, Weather

10% of UK wildlife ‘endangered’

Originally Published by BBC News – A “stocktake” of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species have declined in the past 50 years – and one in 10 could end up disappearing.

Posted on May 22nd, 2013
Biodiversity

Fishing the Gulf of Maine: Tradition at a Crossroads

Rosie holding a large male crab. Underweight crabs and females with eggs are returned to the sea.Originally Published by The Ecologist - Lobster fishing remains big business off the coast of Maine but even with new regulations and new gadgets can it ever be sustainable? Michael Sanders investigates the real costs of the crustacean on your plate.

Posted on May 21st, 2013
Biodiversity, Oceans

How Michael Pollan Romanticizes Dinner

Originally Published by Mother Jones – Rosy memories of mom in the kitchen might not be as common as Pollan assumes.

Posted on May 21st, 2013
Health

When disaster strikes, it’s survival of the sociable

Originally Published by New Scientist - In the drive to climate-proof cities, we can't just focus on buildings. Social infrastructure is just as important, says sociologist Robert Sampson.

Posted on May 20th, 2013
Disasters

High Plains Aquifer Dwindles, Hurting Farmers

Originally Published by The NY Times – Parts of the vast High Plains Aquifer are so low that crops can’t be watered and bridges span arid stream beds.

Posted on May 20th, 2013
Water

Super-Bright Explosion Seen on the Moon

A bright flash on the Moon on March 17, 2013 when a boulder-sized asteroid hit the lunar surface. Originally Published by Universe Today - If you were looking up at the Moon on March 17, 2013 at 03:50:55 UTC, you might have seen one of the brightest “lunar flashes” ever witnessed.

Posted on May 19th, 2013
Would You Believe?

Frogs, salamanders and climate change

Originally Published by ScienceDailly – Increasingly erratic rainfall patterns can lead to declines in southeastern frog and salamander populations, but protecting ponds can improve their plight.

Posted on May 19th, 2013
Biodiversity, Climate

Mountain of Petroleum Coke From Oil Sands Rises in Detroit

Photograph of a large truck carrying oil sand. Dave Olecko/Bloomberg NewsOriginally Published by The NY Times - Refining Canada’s petroleum-soaked oil sands produces petroleum coke, which an environmentalist calls “the dirtiest residue from the dirtiest oil on earth.”

Posted on May 18th, 2013
Energy

Climate science must listen to indigenous voices

Originally Published by Island Business – One of my most cherishable memories at the University of the South Pacific is that of a visit to the journalism students’ newsroom by a small group of quaintly dressed people, some of them wearing heavy furs and thick skintight leather jackets, rugged blankets and heavy boots.

Posted on May 18th, 2013
Would You Believe?

Lingering Ice on Minnesota Lakes

Image of a lake with ice in Minnesota. Credit: NASAOriginally Published by NASA Earth Observatory - A cool spring left several lakes in northern Minnesota covered in ice, weeks beyond the norm.

Posted on May 17th, 2013
Earth Observation

Australia’s ‘unpopular’ carbon price isn’t to blame for Labor’s poor polling

Originally Published by The Guardian – Claims that Julia Gillard’s unpopularity were linked to her introduction of carbon pricing in 2012 don’t stack up.

Posted on May 17th, 2013
Economy, Energy

Exploring Antarctica

Photo of antarctica.Originally Published by The Washington Post - The frozen landscape, dry valleys and active volcanoes that make up Antarctica provide a living laboratory for scientific study and a wondrous journey for those traveling to the ends of the Earth.

Posted on May 16th, 2013
Ecosystems

New Red List to focus on ecosystems rather than species

Originally Published by New Scientist – We may be living through the sixth great extinction. Rather than trying to preserve individual species, should we be focusing more of our efforts on saving entire ecosystems?

Posted on May 16th, 2013
Biodiversity, Ecosystems

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