Year: 2015

ESSIC / CICS-MD Summer Institute interns recently hosted a visit with the Howard University-based NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) CAREERS Weather Camp. Camp participants were part of a 2-week NCAS-sponsored program for High School students with early career interests in atmospheric, environmental, or applied physical sciences.  The Howard University location is one of four nationwide NCAS-sponsored camps held throughout the summer months. As part of the event, …

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a government-regulated gas that can diminish visibility and form acid rain and aerosols in the atmosphere. NASA, which uses the Aura satellite to measure atmospheric gases globally, keeps track of this pollutant using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). NASA recently selected ESSIC’s Dr. Can Li, an Assistant Research Scientist, to award its Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for his work in improving the instrument. Li uses OMI to measure the radiance of …

With an emerging and clearer understanding of the value of ecosystem services — any positive benefit that wildlife or ecosystems provide to people — decision-makers are also recognizing the importance of conserving natural resources. A recent paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explored the progress of institutions and government agencies in assessing the worth of natural assets when making decisions. Natural capital accounting considers the world’s supply of all …

ESSIC Director Professor Antonio Busalacchi was a participant at this year’s media day at the University of Maryland Glenn L. Martin wind tunnel. Busalacchi provided expert commentary on the dangers of hurricane force winds, reminding attendees that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Busalacchi was featured in several news related features following the event, including a nationally broadcast segment on NBC’s Today Show. Additional media coverage included …

Melissa Kenney is the focus of a new article on the website of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS). The article highlights her project on Climate Change Indicators and also includes information on the recently released pilot web tool that makes years of climate data more accessible to policymakers and the general public. …

Professor Zhanqing Li (ESSIC / AOSC) was an invited speaker at the 4th International Symposium on Atmospheric Light Scattering and Remote Sensing (ISALSaRS'15), Wuhan, China, June 1-5, 2015 and the 2nd Workshop on Atmospheric Composition and the Asian Summer Monsoon, Bangkok, Thailand, June 8-12, 2015.  …

ESSIC Assistant Research Scientist Ariana Sutton-Grier was cited in the online publication Biohabitats on the socioeconomic benefits of coastal habitat restoration.   The article cited a study coauthored by Sutton-Grier entitled, “Investing in nature: Restoring coastal habitat blue infrastructure and green job creation.” …