NASA Discusses Key Solutions to Mitigate Global Warming Effects
NASA scientists gathered on Thursday to share their ongoing efforts to combat the dire effects of global warming. With heat waves, wildfires, and severe natural disasters becoming increasingly frequent due to human-induced climate change, NASA is dedicated to finding ways to mitigate the impacts of a warming planet.
Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that last June was the warmest on record, and July is likely to be the warmest month ever recorded. Schmidt emphasized that this temperature increase is unprecedented in many hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
During the discussion, NASA experts discussed various initiatives aimed at addressing climate change. These include missions to better understand how global warming affects biological systems, exploring next-generation technologies like unmanned aircraft for monitoring wildfire response, and deploying satellites to track greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
One recurring theme in the discussion was the need for accurate and accessible climate data. The NASA team also explored the potential of leveraging artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies to enhance data precision.
Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, reiterated the importance of effectively communicating scientific findings to researchers, policymakers, and the public. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that NASA is not only a space and aeronautical agency but also a climate agency.
Experts in marine science, aeronautical engineering, and environmental studies highlighted the urgency with which climate change must be addressed. Schmidt warned that heat waves occurring in the US, Europe, and China are continually breaking records and suggested that 2023 may become the hottest year on record, with 2024 likely to surpass it.
NASA’s focus extends beyond human protection to aiding vulnerable land and marine species. Carlos Del Castillo, chief of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, highlighted the detrimental impact of rising temperatures on marine life. Del Castillo noted that the ocean’s acidity has increased by about 25% since the Industrial Revolution.
To combat the marine crisis, NASA’s upcoming PACE mission, set to launch in early 2024, and the GLIMR mission, expected to start the following year, will analyze ocean color changes, clouds, aerosols, harmful algal blooms, and oil spills. These satellite-based systems are designed to provide comprehensive insights into the impact of climate change on oceans and marine organisms.
NASA already has over two dozen climate-related missions in orbit. For example, the Orbiting Carbon Observatories 2 and 3 recently measured greenhouse gas emissions from Europe’s largest coal-fired power plant.
Huy Tran, aeronautics director at NASA’s Ames Research Center, discussed the agency’s efforts to develop green technologies and sustainable aviation propulsion mechanisms for various forms of air travel. Tran mentioned the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate initiative, which aims for net-zero aviation by 2050 through advancements such as fully electric aircraft and reduced fuel burn for commercial aviation. Unmanned drones and aircraft for wildfire management were also discussed as potential sustainable solutions.
By collaborating with organizations like FEMA and NOAA, NASA aims to identify society’s needs for actionable climate change solutions.
Kate Calvin, NASA’s chief scientist and senior climate adviser, concluded the discussion by emphasizing that human activity and greenhouse gas emissions are unequivocally causing global warming, impacting people and ecosystems worldwide.
With their ongoing efforts and innovative solutions, NASA is playing a crucial role in addressing the crisis of climate change and its consequences.