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