Science Briefs

Since the mid 1990s, GISS scientists have often prepared short articles about their research, sometimes in connection with the publication of journal articles, with the aim of briefly communicating to the public the relevance and even the excitement of our research. These summaries are shorn of most technical language and may be thought of as "popular science" discussions of selected GISS research topics.

Listed below are science briefs which have been written since 2010. Briefs about older research are listed on separate pages for 2005-2009, 2000-2004, and 1995-1999.

News releases about recent GISS research achievements may be found in the Research News pages. Some articles about GISS research prepared by other NASA sites and publications appear amongst the Research Features.

2012

*

The Great Ice Meltdown and Rising Seas

What lessons can we learn from the past history of glacial ice melt and sea-level rise about what will happen in the next century as the climate warms? (2012-06-11)
+ Read More

*

Will a Warmer World Be Stormier?

No single extreme event is evidence of climate change. But what is the likelihood of more events such as stronger thunderstorms and hurricanes as surface temperatures rise? (2012-04-24)
+ Read More

*

Earth's Energy Budget Remains Out of Balance

A new NASA study underscores the fact that greenhouse gases generated by human activity — not changes in solar activity — are the primary force driving global warming. (2012-01-30)
+ Read More

2011

*

Understanding Ice Formation in Arctic Clouds

Airborne and ground-based measurements from an International Polar Year field project were used to revisit a long-standing problem in cloud physics: what is the primary source of ice crystals in mixed-phase clouds? (2011-11-07)
+ Read More

*

Impact of Tropical Atlantic Temperatures on Rainfall

A regional climate model study examines the influence of warm ocean surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Atlantic in summer to see what an increase of a few degrees Celsius does to rainfall. (2011-08-10)
+ Read More

*

Earth's Climate History: Implications for Tomorrow

Study of Earth's past climate reveals not only how much Earth's temperature may change due to increased greenhouse gases but also the significant changes in sea level that could result. (2011-07-20)
+ Read More

*

Adapting to Sea Level Rise in New York City

As warming climate causes sea level rise, coastal urban areas such as New York City face more frequent and intense episodic flooding following storms and inundation of some low-lying areas (2011-04-26)
+ Read More

*

Clouds — An Unwelcome Blanket for Arctic Sea Ice?

A study of Arctic climate finds that cloud cover mostly oscillates between two widely different states, which affects our understanding of and ability to predict sea ice decline. (2011-02-07)
+ Read More

2010

*

How Carbon Dioxide Controls Earth's Temperature

A new atmosphere-ocean climate modeling study shows that the planet's temperature depends, ultimately, on the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide. (Oct '10)
+ Read More

*

Measuring the Greenhouse Effect

Water vapor and carbon dioxide are key greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. But which is more important, and how do they interact? (Oct '10)
+ Read More

*

Does Black Carbon Increase Cooling from Clouds?

Soot particles in the atmosphere absorb radiation, but studies suggest their effect on cloud cover and thickness may promote an overall net cooling. (Sep '10)
+ Read More

*

Thumbs Up or Down for Soot Mitigation?

The climatic effects of soot emissions depend greatly on its composition. The result of reducing emissions will vary depending on what sources are targeted. (Aug '10)
+ Read More

*

Climate Change and Sahelian Rainfall

Climate model projections of 21st century precipitation trends in Africa's Sahel disagree about whether to expect more frequent droughts or a rainier future. (Jul '10)
+ Read More

*

Irrigation and 20th Century Climate

Modeling the effect of irrigation on temperature and precipitation over the past century points to the need to include it in future studies, especially where water resources are not sustainable. (Jun '10)
+ Read More