OpEd

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Politically Possible Tax for Reduction of Fossil Fuel Usage in the U.S. and Worldwide

In Politically Possible Tax for Reduction of Fossil Fuel Usage in the U.S. and Worldwide Sylvester Johnson, Ph.D. outlines his argument for the key advantages of the straightforward carbon tax over “cap-and-trade” and “cap-and-auction.” He concludes with a guideline on how to get the carbon tax enacted.

Sylvester Johnson, posted on July 20th, 2009
Articles, Economy, Energy, OpEd

Native Waters; a Sacred Learning Place

“Two eyes seeing” integrates ancient tribal knowledge and modern scientific method for Native American students studying water in the University of Idaho’s Native Waters program.

Ed Galindo, posted on March 30th, 2009
OpEd, Sustainability, Water

Disaster on Pacific Islands: Contextualizing External Emergency Response and Technology – Parts 1,2 and 3

Dr. William Smith of UNLV explains the importance of cross-cultural methodologies and their vital importance in the effectiveness of hazard mitigation systems in the Pacific Islands with a particular focus on the Federated States of Micronesia.

William James Smith, Jr., posted on March 9th, 2009
Climate, Disasters, Earth Observation, OpEd