‘When the Lights Stay On’ – A Novel Approach to Assessing Human Impact on the Environment

AubrechtetalArticles, Biodiversity, Earth Observation, Original

Cropped image showing nights shining at night.A consequence of the explosive expansion of human civilization has been the global loss of biodiversity and changes to life-sustaining geophysical processes of Earth. The footprint of human occupation is uniquely visible from space in the form of artificial night lighting – ranging from the burning of the rainforest to massive offshore fisheries to omnipresent lights of cities, towns, and villages.

Core of the Problem

adamClimate, Water

The National Ice Core Laboratory tries to answer one question: As the Earth warms, will sea levels rise three feet? Or 30? Or even more?

Faster Climate Change Feared

adamClimate, Disasters

The United States faces the possibility of much more rapid climate change by the end of the century than previous studies have suggested, according to a new report led by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Tibet

adamEarth Observation

Cloudless skies allowed a clear view of Tibet’s arid plains and numerous lakes in mid-December 2008.