• MISSION

  The mission of “Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet” is to provide the public with accurate and timely news and information about Earth’s changing climate, along with current data and visualizations, presented from the unique perspective of NASA, one of the world’s leading climate research agencies.

SCIENCE ADVISERS

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  Dr. Carmen Boening, Climate Scientist and Oceanographer

  Dr. Carmen Boening has a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the University of Bremen, Germany. She is involved in JPL's Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its follow-on mission, GRACE FO. Her research interests include the complex processes behind sea level rise, involving interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, land hydrology and land ice.



• 

  Dr. Erik Conway, Historian

  Dr. Erik Conway is the historian at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, holding a Ph.D. in History of Science and Technology from the University of Minnesota. He writes on the history of Earth, planetary and space sciences in the 20th century, his most recent work entitled Exploration and Engineering: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Quest for Mars.

• 

  Dr. Michael Gunson, Atmospheric Scientist

  With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Bristol University, Dr. Michael Gunson is the Global Change and Energy program manager and an Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) project scientist. His research interests lie in atmospheric remote sensing, atmospheric composition and chemistry, and climate change. Prior to his present JPL roles, Dr. Gunson worked as a lead scientist for building the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument onboard NASA’s AQUA satellite and the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard the AURA satellite.

• 

  Dr. Charles Miller, Atmospheric Scientist

  Dr. Charles Miller received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. As a research scientist at JPL, his interests include atmospheric chemistry and carbon cycle science. He is the principal investigator of NASA's Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE), which looks at atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane in the Arctic. He is also the JPL lead for the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS)’s Monitoring Megacity CO2 Emissions from Space project, and a member of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) science team.

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  Dr. William Patzert, Oceanographer (retired)

  NASA scientist Dr. William “Bill” Patzert has a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Hawaii. His research interests center on understanding and forecasting global and local climate change. He is a science communication expert and often appears in the print and social media and on local and national television and radio. He lectures widely and works with students from around the world.

• 

  Dr. Erika Podest, Carbon Cycle and Ecosystem Scientist

  With a Ph.D in Applied Physics, specializing in remote sensing and image processing, Dr. Podest uses Earth-observing satellites, specifically microwave sensors, to study the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly on wetlands and the boreal high latitudes. She is also involved with the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite mission. She participates in outreach efforts to communicate science to a general audience.

• 

  Dr. Duane Waliser, Oceanographer

  Dr. Duane Waliser has a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to being JPL’s Earth Science and Technology Directorate's chief scientist, he is an adjunct professor in the University of California, Los Angeles's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and a visiting associate in Caltech's Geological and Planetary Sciences Division. His research includes focus on climate dynamics and variability, ocean-atmosphere interactions, water cycle and weather/climate predictability.

• 

  Dr. Josh Willis, Oceanographer

  A project scientist for NASA’s Jason-3 satellite and principal investigator of the Oceans Melting Greenland campaign, Dr. Josh Willis received his Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Willis’ research interests lie in estimating both regional and global sea level rise and ocean circulation using NASA satellite data, among others. Because these are connected to global climate change, he also participates in public outreach efforts to communicate their significance.

• 

  Joe Witte, Climate Communicator

  Joe Witte started his career as a glaciologist for the USGS, working on the ice of South Cascade Glacier, Wash. He has worked for network affiliate news stations in New York City, Seattle, Milwaukee and Philadelphia, and was NBC’s morning weatherman for 20 years. He currently advises NASA communications teams about how to adapt NASA science content for use by TV meteorologists.

EDITORIAL TEAM

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  Randal Jackson, Website Manager

  As an Internet Manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Randal produces websites about Earth science and astronomy and cutting-edge visualization tools for the public. Prior to working for NASA, he was senior editor for science and technology at CNN.com, where he oversaw coverage of such stories as the Pathfinder mission to Mars, the deorbiting of the Mir space station, and the construction of the International Space Station. Randal majored in journalism and drama at the University of Georgia.

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  Holly Shaftel, Website Editor and Social Media Specialist

  Holly Shaftel manages the website’s daily operations, from publishing news to tracking metrics. She also maintains the website's companion social media channels (NASA Climate Change on Facebook, @NASAClimate on Twitter and @nasaclimatechange on Instagram) and occasionally writes original feature articles. Holly holds a B.S. in Organizational Communication from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master’s in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the University of Southern California.

• 

  Susan Callery, Earth Science Public Engagement Manager

  Susan Callery is the manager of the Earth Science Public Engagement Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Susan’s team plans, staffs, develops and implements all Earth science communication and outreach activities, with the exception of media. Prior to working for NASA, Susan worked at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and was a City Council member in Poway, Calif. Susan has a B.S. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.

• 

  Daniel Bailey, Science Editor

  Daniel answers questions from the public sent into the website directly, on the website's social media channels and on the blog. He also writes original feature articles and blog posts and holds degrees in Earth science, cartography and remote sensing from Central Michigan University. An avid hiker, baseball fan and science fiction movie aficionado, Daniel has fulfilled one of his life’s dreams of working for NASA and is still looking forward to playing centerfield for the Yankees.

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  Susan Bell, Video Series Producer

  Susan brings over 15 years of media production experience to her role at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her prior work includes stop motion animation, documentary television, narrative filmmaking, transmedia storytelling, game design and interactive project management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from Florida State University, and is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

EYES ON THE EARTH VISUALIZATION TEAM

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  Jason Craig

  Technical Lead, Visualization Technology Applications and Development

• Kristine Nguyen

  Chief Visualization Programmer

• Christopher "Kit" Petrie

  Scientific Applications Software Engineer

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

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  Justin Moore

  Design and Development Director, Moore Boeck

• Andrea Boeck

  Designer, Moore Boeck