Tim Hewison, Associate Editor for European Affairs

Tim Hewison is a meteorological scientist, currently working at EUMETSAT, Germany and the European Affairs editor for Earthzine.

Like everyone, my career has had its ups and downs – through the Earth’s atmosphere in my case. After starting work at the UK Met Office, I worked on the testing of satellite instruments, then the design, integration and operation of microwave radiometers on a research aircraft. This bought me to many interesting places to take part in experiments designed to optimise the use of data from the counterpart satellite instruments. Then I literally came down to Earth to work on ground-based instruments, aiming to provide real-time information on the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer for short-range weather forecasts.

With my move to EUMETSAT, I have come full circle back to work on satellite instruments again - this time through the Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System. I am currently chairing the research working group of this project of the World Meteorological Organisation and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites, which aims to monitor and harmonize data quality from operational weather and environmental satellites.

I also combine technology and nature in my hobbies, which include mountain biking, astronomy and geocaching. Through these activities, and while analysing the observations at work, I have come to really appreciate the complexity and beauty of our natural world, which I strive to protect.

Favourite Earthzine articles:

Geospatial Standards: Opening Up the Geosciences

In his second essay on access of geospatial data , Lance McKee argues that the technical standards in the geosciences are largely in place and have the necessary institutional commitment, but their availability and usefulness are not yet well known. His first essay presented the rationale for making Earth location-referenced data widely available and shared.

Lance McKee, posted on February 2nd, 2011
GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Sustainability, Technology

Lighting governance for protected areas and beyond – Identifying the urgent need for sustainable management of artificial light at night

The importance of an “urban lighting governance” framework for control and management of artificial night lighting, particularly in close proximity to protected areas, and for raised awareness of the issue of light pollution and related ecological consequences is documented in this article.

Aubrecht et al., posted on December 20th, 2010
Articles, Earth Observation, Ecosystems, Sustainability

A Re-Introduction to Ecology of Mind

In 1972, Gregory Bateson introduced a theory that proposed the need to change not just our actions, but our thoughts as well—to think about how we think. This essay proposes "ecology of mind" as a means to focus and invigorate public awareness and action to avert the ecological crises facing the world’s population.

Elise Mulder, posted on October 21st, 2010
Articles, Ecosystems, OpEd, Reviews, Sustainability

Five basic questions to answer in order to systematically integrate sustainable energy solutions

For reasons of ensuring sustainable access to energy for the future and preventing environmental damage, we as a society need to change the way we use energy. This change involves both developing new technologies and introducing these technologies into everyday use in an intelligent, systematic way. Instinctively, we focus on developing new technologies perhaps because these are the most tangible actions in bringing about transformation. However, the systematic integration component is equally important if we want to be successful in our aims

Francis Vanek, posted on June 15th, 2009
Energy, Sustainability, Technology

Getting Solar Energy to Work: Resource Assessment by Remote Sensing as a Base for Investment Decisions

Concentrated solar power is widely viewed by energy experts as an ideal carbon-neutral source of renewable energy. Yet despite its recognized virtues and potential to free global dependence on fossil fuel, nuclear, and less well developed alternatives, concentrated solar power has not attracted the investment needed for large-scale adoption. In this article, the authors show how remotely sensed data can be used by investors to evaluate their return-on-investment.

Hoyer-Klick et al., posted on May 5th, 2009
Articles, Climate, Energy, Sustainability

(Actually I really like some of the Essay Contest entries, too.)