Research at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies emphasizes a broad study of global change, an interdisciplinary research initiative addressing natural and man-made changes in our environment which occur on various time scales from decades to millennia and which affect the habitability of our planet. The research combines analysis of comprehensive global datasets with global models of atmospheric, land surface, and oceanic processes and includes study of past events on Earth such as paleoclimate change and the study of other planets as an aid to prediction of future evolution of Earth on a planetary scale.
2009 News, Briefs, and Features
This page lists news releases and science briefs for the current year.
Archives are also available for
2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004
and
2003.
Linking Climate and Habitability
Scientists are now learning how small shifts in climate can have dramatic consequences for the planet's environment and the life that depends on it.
(June '09)
+ Read Research Feature
Transportation Pollution and Global Warming
Controlling pollution from transportation sources would greatly reduce black carbon and ozone emissions, which affect both climate and also human health.
(June '09)
+ Read Science Brief
Particles Multi-Task to Change Climate
Tiny particulate matter in the atmosphere can both warm and cool the climate. Which effect is dominant, and will the balance change as the atmosphere warms due to greenhouse gases?
(May '09)
+ Read Science Brief
The Ozone Hole and Global Warming
A new study examines possible connections between reduced Southern Hemisphere ozone and Northern Hemisphere Arctic warming.
(May '09)
+ Read Science Brief
New Aerosol Observing Technique Turns Gray Skies to Blue
A new detection technique and a new satellite instrument should help ease the struggle of detecting tiny particles in the air that may affect global climate.
(Mar '09)
+ Read News Release
Climate-Research Satellite One Step Closer to Orbit
The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor, an advanced scientific instrument that will be launched on the Glory satellite, has successfully completed environmental testing.
(Mar '09)
+ Read News Release
Cassini Watches as Change Comes to Titan
Part of the southern latitudes of Saturn's moon Titan appears to have been flooded by a summer cloudburst of hydrocarbon rain, as seen in images taken before and after a large storm system.
(Jan '09)
+ Read News Release
Satellites Confirm West Antarctic Warming
A new analysis has overturned the belief that global warming in Antarctica was limited to the Antarctic Peninsula and leaving the rest of the continent little affected.
(Jan '09)
+ Read News Release
GISS Director Honored by AMS
Dr. James Hansen has been awarded the Rossby Research Medal by the American Meteorological Society for contributions to climate science and science communication.
(Jan '09)
+ Read News Release
Cooler, but Still Warm
Although global temperatures were cooled by La Niña early in the year, 2008 was among the ten warmest years since reliable recordkeeping began.
(Jan/Feb '09)
+ Read Data Update and
News Release
Solar Variations and Climate
Modeling studies show that changes in solar irradiance that occur during the solar cycle have an influence on rainfall patterns, much like weighting the dice.
(Jan '09)
+ Read Science Brief
News release and science briefs archives are also available for
2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004,
and
2003.
