OpEd
Standards Enable Open Geoscience Opportunities
In his last essay of a three-part series about the role of the Internet in “opening up” the geosciences, Lance Mckee examines the opportunities for geoscience stakeholders to forge the evolution of science through Internet-based geoprocessing standards and information technology.
Lance McKee, posted on
March 30th, 2011
Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Technology
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
Disaster Preparedness in the Water Sector of Developing Countries
When natural disasters hit developing countries, lack of clean water can lead to a health crisis. Instead of responding after the fact, it may be more effective to prepare local communities by providing them with water sanitation kits (WatSan-Kits), along with training in their use.
Markus Enenkel, posted on
January 28th, 2011
Articles, Disaster Management, OpEd, Water
And the 2010 Winners Are…
Earthzine is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 University and College Student Essay and Blogging Competition, “Making Citizen Observations a Global Vision.” Co-sponsored by NASA, this year’s contest attracted well-written, thought provoking essays and an international dialogue with students on important environmental issues.
Maeve Hickok, posted on
December 20th, 2010
Earth Observation, Education, Essay Contest 2010, OpEd, Sustainability
Sweden Strongly Supports GEOSS Amidst Concern for Climate Change in Arctic Region and Globally
Lena Häll Eriksson, head of the Swedish delegation to GEO and Director General of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, on behalf of the Swedish Minister for the Environment, Andreas Carlgren, spoke eloquently in support of the Group on Earth Observation and GEOSS on the final day of the GEO Beijing Ministerial Summit, 5 November 2010.
Lena Häll Eriksson, Michael Williams and Maeve Hickok, posted on
November 15th, 2010
Climate, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd
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
The Challenges Of Water And Climate In Asia
Mr. Arjun Thapan is Special Senior Advisor to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) President for Infrastructure and Water. ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. In this opinion essay, he discusses Asia’s impending water crisis, exacerbated not just by the environmental consequences of economic and population growth, but now also by climate change.
Arjun Thapan, posted on
September 21st, 2010
Articles, Climate, Disasters, Earth Observation, Economy, Ecosystems, Featured Person, Millennium Development Goals, OpEd, Water
18 Reasons for Open Publication of Geoscience Data
In this essay, Lance McKee presents his argument (18 reasons) why Earth location-referenced data should be widely available and shared. This essay is the first of three that explore aspects of this topic.
Lance McKee, posted on
August 4th, 2010
Articles, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Sustainability, Technology
A Letter On Earth Observation And Global Awareness
Editor-in-Chief Paul Racette shares his wonder of the meaning of Earthzine’s tagline, Fostering Earth Observation and Global Awareness. It seems that fostering Earth observation, fosters global awareness for it is through observation that we become aware.
Paul Racette, posted on
July 25th, 2010
Earth Observation, Letters, OpEd
A Surprising Side-Effect of Climate Change: A Fog of Confusion
Recent changes in public opinion appear contrary to the growing empirical evidence that climate change will have significant impact to human society. In their essay, Drs. Jean-Louis Fellous and Catherine Gautier describe the thickening fog of climate skepticism and put forth a remedy for clearing the air.
Jean-Louis Fellous and Catherine Gautier, posted on
June 21st, 2010
Climate, Earth Observation, Feature, Featured Person, OpEd, People, Weather
NASA Daily Image
Panorama of the East Coast
This Jan. 29 panorama of much of the East Coast, photographed by one of the Expedition 30 crew members aboard the International Space Station, provides a look generally northeastward: Philadelphia-New York City-Boston corridor (bottom-center); western Lake Ontario shoreline with Toronto (left edge); Montreal (near center). An optical illusion in the photo makes the atmospheric limb and light activity from Aurora Borealis appear "intertwined." Image Credit: NASA