The United Nations has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. Opportunities for expanded monitoring and appreciation of soil abound, ranging from the NASA’s SMAP mission just launched at end of January to events offered by the Soil Science Society of America.
NASA Launches New Satellite to Help Measure Soil Moisture
On Saturday, January 20 NASA successfully launched its Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite. The SMAP mission will provide data that can help to improve weather forecasts, flood planning, and more.
Tracking Snow: The Cryosphere in an Era of Climate Change
A new generation of weather satellites is helping researchers gain insights into the complex relationship between the cryosphere ÛÒ the planet’s cold regions ÛÒ and the climate. With drinking water supplies dwindling around the world, understanding the cryosphere is becoming a front-burner issue.
The hidden farms of Chicago
NPR’s The Salt recently took a look at Chicago and the many “hidden farms” that can be found on rooftops around the city.
10 innovative food projects reconnecting eaters and producers
Originally Published by The Guardian – Farming is obscure and cooking has become a spectator sport for many, but restoring lost traditions is possible.
Dot Earth Blog: A Climate Analyst Clarifies the Science Behind California’s Water Woes
Originally Published by NY Times- A closer look at the science behind the fighting over whether global warming has shaped California’s drought.
Windy City Hosts 2014 Annual Meeting of American Association for the Advancement of Science
This week, our writer Sarah will be lucky enough to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
World Wetlands Day focuses on agriculture
Originally Published by ESA- The 2014 World Wetlands Day highlights the need for wetlands and the agriculture sector to work together. ESA’s GlobWetland II project assists Mediterranean countries in the sustainable use of these areas and demonstrates the evolution of wetlands and agricultural patterns over time.
Farmers urged to do more over floods
Originally Published by BBC News- Farmers getting public grants should be forced to capture water on their land to prevent floods downstream, environmentalists say.
Green news roundup: Greenpeace, aviation and marine photography
Originally Published Environment Research Web – Wildfires and insect outbreaks have wiped out millions of hectares of forest in western North America in recent years. In particular, the mountain pine beetle has destroyed vast areas of lodgepole pine forest, including more than 16 million hectares in British Columbia alone. But what kind of impact does this have on the carbon cycle?