OpEd
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
GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Sustainability, Technology
| 1 Comment »
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
| 4 Comments »
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
| 2 Comments »
Judith Curry On the Credibility of Climate Research
Judith A. Curry, Ph.D. is professor and chairperson of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research interests include remote sensing, climate of the polar regions, atmospheric modeling, and air/sea interactions. The Op-Ed posted here addresses her views on what has become a global controversy about climate science. Her stated aim is to stimulate constructive debate by this essay about the critical scientific research on climate, and about the roles and responsibilities of scientists. Comments are welcome on this and every Earthzine article.
Dr. Judith A. Curry, posted on
March 22nd, 2010
Climate, Featured Person, OpEd, Politics
| 4 Comments »
Study Calls for Improved Spectrum Management to Protect Earth Observations
The proliferation of wireless communications and other active services such as radars and radio location devices blinds us from seeing the natural electromagnetic emissions necessary, for example, for monitoring the ocean temperature and studying the formation of stars. Scientific use through passive measurement of the radio spectrum is important “to enhance public safety, environmental security, and extend human knowledge of the Earth and the larger universe.” The authors, members of a U.S. National Research Council committee investigating this problem, recommend action.
Albin J. Gasiewski and Marshall H. Cohen, posted on
December 24th, 2009
Articles, Earth Observation, OpEd, Politics, Technology
| No Comments »
GEO: An Experiment in Governance
How does the Group on Earth Observation, referenced throughout these pages, actually work? In this insightful commentary, Michael Williams, GEO External Relations Manager, describes how this voluntary organization of 80 Member countries and 57 Participating Organizations gets the work of realizing GEOSS done.
Michael Williams, posted on
December 14th, 2009
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd, Sustainability
| No Comments »
Directing the Evolution of GEOSS Technical Architecture
“As a “system of systems”, GEOSS is composed of contributed Earth Observation systems, ranging from primary data collection systems to systems for the creation and distribution of information products. Although all GEOSS systems continue to operate within their own mandates, GEOSS systems can leverage each other so that the overall GEOSS becomes much more than the sum of its component systems. This synergy develops as each contributor supports common arrangements designed to make shared observations and products more accessible, comparable, and understandable.” In this opinion editorial, George Percivall, chief architect of the GEOSS Interoperability Program, describes the remarkable progress that GEOSS builders have already made.
George Percivall, posted on
December 8th, 2009
Articles, Earth Observation, GEOSS/ICEO News, OpEd
| No Comments »
Save Our Planet, Save Our Health
There is a definite cause-effect relationship between the environment and human health, one of direct dependency. To put it in simple terms, the healthier the Earth is, the healthier its inhabitants. It’s something that is pretty obvious if only we stop to think about it, but since most of us are busy with our own lives, we fail to see how the two are interlinked.
Adrienne Carlson, posted on
September 22nd, 2009
Health, OpEd, Sustainability
| 1 Comment »
Education Around Earth – Coyote Mentoring: One School’s Lessons in Earth Observation
Coyote Mentoring: One School’s Lessons in Nature Awareness gives a snapshot of the direction that Earth observation should be taking in the classroom, says Associate Editor for Education David Mullins, Ph.D. “It’s especially pertinent to teaching the present generation. Educators are beginning to recognize that kids are less and less impressed with computers; they aren’t new and exciting to them. In their digitally ubiquitous worlds (e.g., email, discussion boards, chat rooms, blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, IM, text messaging, and Flickr) kids quickly discover that getting your hands dirty during a fossil hunt and your feet wet doing water quality testing is both fun and educational. So, I think this article is in line with the evolving STEM literature implicating the gender and cultural foundations of science education and the need for measurement and observation in the physical environment for future scientists to truly appreciate the data they see on computer monitors.”
Julia Cechvala, posted on
August 3rd, 2009
Articles, Education, OpEd, Sustainability
| 2 Comments »
Education Around Earth – High School Students Debate Federal Incentives for Alternative Energy
During the week of June 15, 2009, an estimated 3,500 high school students from across the U.S. debated the politics, challenges, advantages, and science of federal incentives for alternative energy at the National Forensic League (NFL) National Speech and Debate Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama. This year’s national topic was, “Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States” and those participating had to win district tournaments in their respective states in order to advance to the national competition.
David F. Mullins Ph.D., posted on
July 27th, 2009
Articles, Education, Energy, OpEd
| No Comments »
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NASA Image of the Day
Orbital Sunrise
The Expedition 24 crew on the International Space Station photographed this image of polar mesospheric clouds illuminated by an orbital sunrise. Polar mesospheric, or noctilucent ("night shining"), clouds usually are seen at twilight, following the setting of the sun below the horizon and darkening of Earth's surface. Occasionally the station's orbital track becomes nearly parallel to Earth's day/night terminator for a time, allowing the clouds to be visible to the crew at times other than the usual twilight because of the station's altitude. This photograph shows polar mesospheric clouds illuminated by the rising, rather than setting, sun at center right. Low clouds on the horizon appear yellow and orange, while higher clouds and aerosols are illuminated a brilliant white. Polar mesospheric clouds appear as light blue ribbons extending across the top of the image. The station was located over the Greek island of Kos in the Aegean Sea (near the southwestern coastline of Turkey) when the image was taken at approximately midnight local time. The orbital complex was tracking northeastward, nearly parallel to the terminator, making it possible to observe an apparent "sunrise" located almost due north. A similar unusual alignment of the ISS orbit track, terminator position and seasonal position of Earth's orbit around the sun allowed for this striking imagery of over the Southern Hemisphere. Image Credit: NASA
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