Earth Science Vital Signs

Evidence / Facts

Climate Change: How Do We Know?

https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.

Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal

- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95 percent probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.

Earth-orbiting satellites and other technological advances have enabled scientists to see the big picture, collecting many different types of information about our planet and its climate on a global scale. This body of data, collected over many years, reveals the signals of a changing climate.

The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th century. Their ability to affect the transfer of infrared energy through the atmosphere is the scientific basis of many instruments flown by NASA. There is no question that increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the Earth to warm in response.

Ice cores drawn from Greenland, Antarctica, and tropical mountain glaciers show that the Earth’s climate responds to changes in greenhouse gas levels. Ancient evidence can also be found in tree rings, ocean sediments, coral reefs, and layers of sedimentary rocks. This ancient, or paleoclimate, evidence reveals that current warming is occurring roughly ten times faster than the average rate of ice-age-recovery warming.

"Vital Signs of the Planet"

Critical Missions to Monitor the Health of Earth's Life-Enabling Systems

Pulse of the Planet / Vital Signs... Climate Change

Climate Change: Vital Signs App

Earth Observations

Environmental Security

Visit Pulse of the Planet

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Earth Research: Science to Preserve & Protect Life

Vital Signs: Measuring to Manage

World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice

NASA Climate: Vital Signs of the Planet

Earth Right Now

Vital Signs: Taking the Pulse of the Planet (video)

NASA Earth Observing Satellite Fleet / August 2014

Coordinated Earth Measurement

Isn't It Time We Measure?

NASA Earth Sciences - Asks Public to Join In

Earth Science and Monitoring from Space

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NASA Climate

NASA Missions / Earth Right Now

GPM - Next-generation measurements of global snow and rain

OCO-2 - Measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide

OCO-2 / (TW)

ISS - Rapidscat - Monitoring ocean winds

CATS - Observing pollution, dust and smoke in the atmosphere

SMAP - Studying soil moisture

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Collections of Home Earth Imagery

NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

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• https://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/
• https://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/projects-supported

The Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) at NASA Langley Research Center

ASDC is a crucial hub for the NASA Earth science program responsible for processing, archival, and distribution of Earth science data in the areas of radiation budget, clouds, aerosols, and tropospheric chemistry

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Climate News

Ecology Studies / Teaching about Climate Change with Infographics

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What Happens in the Arctic Doesn't Stay in the Arctic

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/Category:Arctic

Arctic Undergoing Most Unprecedented Transition in Human History

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Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica

What Happens in Antarctica Doesn't Stay in Antarctica

• Via National Geographic / Watching Thwaites Glacier Up Close and Personal by Elizabeth Rush

The Thwaites Glacier is often considered one of the most important when it comes to changes in sea level....

Along with Thwaites the overwhelming majority of the world’s glaciers have begun to withdraw...

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