Carbon Capture & Sequestration: How Hopeful Should We Be?

dziskinArticles, Climate, Energy, Original

Map of Africa showing Kenya

CO2The burning of fossil fuels provides about 85% of the energy consumed in the United States. One societal cost of this source of energy is the release of carbon dioxide; a potent greenhouse gas. The dream of capturing carbon before it is released into the atmosphere is capturing the imagination of policy makers. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 includes $1.8B for “clean coal” of which carbon capture & sequestration is a component. Yet the questions remain: Can it work? Is it cost effective? Are there more effective alternatives?

Engineering for Humanity

EarthzineFeature, In This Issue, OpEd, Original, Sections

Engineering and humanity? Some might say that the two words don’t belong in the same sentence. Many outside the engineering profession do not think of engineering as a “caring” profession dedicated to creating positive effect for society and the global environment. What’s happening between the IEEE and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is showing how the commitment of engineers can be directed toward improving our lives and those of our children and future generations. IEEE members around the globe are using their skills to support GEO’s development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS. In doing so, they are tying engineering to basic needs of humankind – food, water, shelter, and security.

ESA's Earth Observation Programmes: Advancing Earth Science Through New Sensing Technology

psilvestrinArticles, Earth Observation, Original, Technology

GFS 6z showing a strong hurricane of 974mb pushing into South Carolina.

Antenna DetailThe European Space Agency (ESA) has dedicated a substantial part of its programmes to observing the Earth since the launch of its first meteorological mission Meteosat in 1977. Following this mission, the subsequent series of Meteosat satellites, the ERS-1 and ERS-2 missions and, more recently, Envisat, the largest Earth observation (EO) satellite ever built, have provided a wealth of data about the Earth, its climate and changing environment.

Earth Observation in the Met Office

EarthzineArticles, Climate, Earth Observation, Original, Sections, Technology, Weather

Met Office

The United Kingdom’s Met Office is one of the world’s leading providers of environmental and weather-related services. Our solutions and services meet the needs of many communities of interest, from the general public, government and schools, through broadcasters and online media, to civil aviation and almost every other industry sector – in the UK and around the world. It is also home to the Hadley Centre for climate research.

Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa: An Earthzine Personal Profile

EarthzineOriginal, People, Sections

Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa

The business of standards within the developing GEOSS community requires the commitment, expertise, and networking capabilities of a host of individuals. Foremost among these is Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), in Boulder, Colorado. Since receiving his B.A. in Physics from the University of California, Irvine, and his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle, Khalsa has been a major contributor to a variety of data programs. His activity in leading the IEEE effort in standards and interoperability for GEOSS is a natural extension of his work in these programs, albeit on a global scale.

An Architect of "The System of Systems"

jadamIn This Issue, Original, People

Conrad LautenbacherThe hat collection overtaking his corner office two blocks from the White House says much of Conrad Lautenbacher’s interests. The caps are mementos of a decorated 40-year Navy career and also from his current job, where part of it is running oceanographic and fisheries vessels, including underwater robots.

Welcome to Earthzine!

EarthzineFeature, In This Issue, OpEd, Original, Sections

Welcome to Earthzine and thank you for visiting our site. It’s my pleasure to introduce and describe to you this new on-line magazine and invite you to join our on-line community of Earth observers. Earthzine.org is a premier on-line resource for news, articles, information and educational materials about Earth Science, Earth observations and users of Earth information. Earthzine.org is a … Read More

"Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond

jayOriginal, Reviews

Book review by Jay Pearlman Jared Diamond starts his book with a question from an acquaintance in New Guinea: “Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people have little cargo of our own.” Whether the cargo is wealth, power, good medicines or a long life, Diamond sets … Read More