Introduction to Global Change Course

GLOBAL CHANGE LINKS COMPILED BY THE FALL 1995 GEOS/HWR 107A CLASS

The class was given the following assignment:

Browse the World Wide Web and take notes on your browisng in your journal. Compile a list of at least 10 "Global Change Related Sites" for me to add to the Class Home Page.

Post the URL's of 2 of your selections to the Class Listserv with a 2-3 sentence description of what's on the web pages. No duplicates of sites may be posted, hence the first one to post a specific site gets credit for it. [NOTE: You may not use any of the sites already given to you in the Lab 1 handout.]

AND HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF YOUR BROWSING:

GLOBAL CHANGE -- GENERAL OVERVIEWS

CONSEQUENCES

CONSEQUENCES is produced as a public service by NOAA, NASA, and NSF to provide reliable assessments of practical concerns related to the consequences of changes in the global environment. Interesting graphs. Enjoy. Contributed by Donovan Malley (dmalley@gas.uug.arizona.edu)

Understanding Climate Change

This site is a beginners guide to understanding the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It lists the global problems that arose at the convention and the convention's responses. Such problems as a rapid change in the climate and changes in regional rain patterns were discussed. Contributed by Jamy J Ouellette (jamyo@GAS.UUG.Arizona.EDU)

The United States Global Change Research Program

I found this site to be very interesting. This site gives a brief history of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and its purpose. The USGCRP is comprised of 18 departments and agencies of the Federal Government. All of these departments and agencies can be found on this page and by clicking on any of them you can find descriptions of their roles and responsibilities in the program. Contributed by Jamy J Ouellette (jamyo@GAS.UUG.Arizona.EDU)

Friends of the Earth -- for the planet for people

Upon searching the net I came upon this home page. It is from the Friends of the Earth for the Planet for the people. It is a general link with many interesting sites that deal with the physical earth. Contributed by Jonathan T Huff (huff@U.Arizona.EDU)

SOME GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH CENTERS

Cold Regions Research -- U.S. Geological Survey Global Change Research Program

This site emphasizes the importance of the cryosphere to the earth's geosphere. Some global warming topics were mentioned, citing the reactions that would affect the world's oceans. This site deals mainly with water issues and concentrates on freezing and melting. Contributed by Jesse Dahl (jdahl@u.arizona.edu or linguisto@aol.com)

Earth and Environmental Sciences - U.S. Geological Survey

This page is a registry of all the Earth and Environmental Science Internet resources. It is published as a service to the research community. Contributed by Amy A Gaughran (aag@U.Arizona.EDU)

The Earth System Science Center of Penn State University

Another interesting home page is the Penn State Earth System Science Center. This home page contains many different earth cycle pages. Contributed by Jonathan T Huff (huff@U.Arizona.EDU)

The Global Systems Initiative of Columbia University

This article is centered around the earth's systems and branched out to physical processes, biological processes, and socioeconomic and design processes. Contributed by Kyle Patterson (jkp@U.Arizona.EDU)

U of A LTRR Research Interests

This has a list of the faculty of tree ring research here at the U of A, and also the staff. Includes their degrees and where they received them, their particular interests or specialties. Some have a home page, like ours! It is kind of interesting just looking at the types of things they are doing. Contributed by Denise M Quinterri (deniseq@U.Arizona.EDU)

GLOBAL WARMING & GREENHOUSE GASES

Global Warming Update

As I went through the internet I came upon these interesting pages. I particularly liked this site due to the fact that it offers updated graphs and maps of the changes in Global Warming. I found it very relevant to what we are studying. As long as the graphs aren't downloaded, I think that this is a very helpful site for our class. Contributed by Andrea E Barrantes (andreab@U.Arizona.EDU)

Global Warming Update -- Text

Invited Presentation at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society by Thomas R. Karl and C. Bruce Baker -- This excerpt from a longer speech discusses the fact that there was a dramatic rise in global temperatures in the 1970's, but that "overall surface warming" has levelled off in recent years. [Note from Katie Hirschboeck: This is the text of the paper that accompanies slide images which can be viewed in the page contributed by Andrea Barrantes just above.] Contributed by Victoria L Mellody (mellody@U.Arizona.EDU)

OneWorld Online Newsflash 1995 - Global Warming: Another Unequal Burden

This article talks about the effects of Global Warming on the world. It lists several points that tell exact details of the whole process. Contributed by Carrie S Slabaugh (css@U.Arizona.EDU)

Greenhouse Gas Dataset Entries in the NASA Global Change Master Directory

This site discusses the world's contribution to levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The United Nations has asked world governments to take action to limit the production of greenhouse gases. Contributed by Karen Caldwell (kcaldwel@U.Arizona.EDU)

OZONE

Common Threads: Research Lessons from Acid Rain, Ozone Depletion, and Global Warming

This is an extensive article on ozone history; such as, when did we start studying ozone and why it is important that it should be studied. It is very lengthy but informative. He also addressed the battle of whether it is something to worry about.Contributed by Melissa C Nyquist (mcn@U.Arizona.EDU)

Ozone Depletion over Antarctica

I managed to uncover some interesting and even slightly germane URLs in my brief travels. This was quite interesting and visually stimulating as well. Fairly easily understood by laypeople and great graphics check it out! Contributed by Alex C Risch (alex@GAS.UUG.Arizona.EDU)

Ozone Science

This is also so very informative. You might like this one better [than the "Common Threads" site above]. It is more organized. It is chock full of definitions and also has the up-to-date debates on the issue. It has neat graphs and charts as well, maybe something you might want to look at before the test. Contributed by Melissa C Nyquist (mcn@U.Arizona.EDU) Also contributed at the same time by Andrea R Soto (sotoa@U.Arizona.EDU) who adds: This site discusses the ozone -- its purposes and the depletion. Includes the EPA's and the world community reaction to the depletion.

Ozone: What is it, and why do we care about it?

We've been talking a lot about ozone, so I thought that I would find out just what it is. This article gives information on "good" and "bad" ozone and what their balance is. It has some great diagrams, too! Contributed by Stephanie N Miller (smiller@U.Arizona.EDU)

OCEANS & GLOBAL CHANGE

Climate Change -- Ocean Planet Smithsonian Exhibition

The Smithsonian Institute, in cooperation with NASA has created a listing of articles relating to climate change, and, in particular, the oceans. I enjoyed using it because they set it up like a trip to the museum, and you choose what you want to read about by clicking on the different rooms. Contributed by Victoria L Mellody (mellody@U.Arizona.EDU)

An El Nino Theme Page: Accessing and Distributing Information related to El Nino

As I went through the internet I came upon these interesting pages. At this site one can find a detailed outline on the topic of El Nino. It offers a simple and interesting way to learn about this topic. Contributed by Andrea E Barrantes (andreab@U.Arizona.EDU)

The Bermuda Triangle

This site is actually about the Bermuda Triangle. I thought it could be related to global change because of the weather patterns in that area, the temperatures, the currents, etc. Also mentioned are three different north poles which are used at different times. All of these combined help explain some of the mysteries that lie in the Bermuda Triangle.Contributed by Daryl L Solomon (daryls@U.Arizona.EDU)

PRECIPITATION, LAND SURFACE - ATMOSPHERE, & BIOSPHERE STUDIES

Rainfall Site of the NASA/Goddard Climate and Radiation Branch

This is a study of water's movement in all forms (gases, solids, and liquids). The mission of this NASA project is to study rainfall in the tropical rain forests. They have plans for a satellite (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission - TRMM) by the year 1997. Contributed by Gretchen R Arendsen (gra@U.Arizona.EDU)

Global Precipitation Climatology Project

The Global Precipitation Climatology Project was designed for accurate modeling and prediction of global monthly precipitation. It has been difficult for the GPCP because of [the lack of] climatological data. The project is to provide global data sets of an area over a time period of 10 yrs (1986-1995). Contributed by Shelly Magassy (magassy@U.Arizona.EDU)

International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP)

The International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project was established in 1983 by the United Nation's Environmental Programme to promote the use of satellite data for the global land-surface, which is needed for climate studies. One of the ISLSCP's objectives is to demonstrate the types of surface and near-surface satellite measurements that are relevant to climate and global change studies. Contributed by Shelly Magassy (magassy@U.Arizona.EDU)

Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) Biosphere Model

From the NASA Ames Research Center Ecosystem Science & Technology Branch. This page shows the first geographically precise map of the earth's "breathing," that is, removing and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. [Note From Katie Hirschboeck: Full model viewing requires high resolution graphics. See Modeling Global Terrestrial Trace Gas Fluxes for a bit more about the model.] Contributed by Amy A Gaughran (aag@U.Arizona.EDU)

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND GLOBAL CHANGE

Volcanism-Climate Interactions

This site is set up for the novice volcano enthusiast (or something?) It gives explanations as to the effects volcanoes have on the earth's atmosphere and the surface; effects that directly affect humans. Contributed by Jesse Dahl (jdahl@u.arizona.edu or linguisto@aol.com)

Satellite Images of Volcanoes and Eruptions from AVO, The Alaska Volcano Observatory

This article gives information on a volcano in Russia. These images were taken about 11 hours after the eruption occurred. Contributed by Stephanie N Miller (smiller@U.Arizona.EDU)

HUMAN BEINGS & GLOBAL CHANGE -- GENERAL

CIESIN Summary

I found some pretty cool global change related sites: the first, called Summary, is just that, a summary of some basic things we will probably be talking about during the semester. Kind of long, but that's ok. Contributed by Daryl L Solomon (daryls@U.Arizona.EDU)

The Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Programme

This discusses the impact of humans on global environmental change. Contributed by Karen Caldwell (kcaldwel@U.Arizona.EDU)

Potential Increase in Mortality due to Global Warming

I found this article which states the effect that Global Warming has on people's health. It was interesting because of the detail that was used throughout it. Contributed by Carrie S Slabaugh (css@U.Arizona.EDU)

HUMAN BEINGS & GLOBAL CHANGE -- DEFORESTATION, DESERTIFICATION, AND AGRICULTURE

Deforestation - CIESIN Thematic Guides

This "page" is about deforestation. Deforestation is one of the issues that I myself am most concerned with. I have always wondered what the U.S. would be like today if we hadn't over-used our tree resources. I have my own personal idea that at one time Africa was a richly and densely forested continent. Contributed by Jennifer M Dewitt (jdewitt@U.Arizona.EDU)

GIS Techniques Using NOAA Data Improve Monitoring of Desertification

This "page" is all about desertification. It includes some really cool images that show you where the trouble areas are on planet earth. The information is provided by the National Geophysical Data Center. I figured that this would be one of the issues we eventually discuss in class, since we were asked if we knew what "desertification" meant at the beginning of class. I hope you find it is interesting as I did.Contributed by Jennifer M Dewitt (jdewitt@U.Arizona.EDU)

Human Causes of Global Change Related to Agriculture

The web page describes various human causes of climate change. Examples such as the production of methane and nitrous gases are discussed. Contributed by Marshall J Taylor (mjt@U.Arizona.EDU)

Impacts of Global Climate Change on Agriculture

This page describes the effects that global change will have on the food supply, crop production, food security, and the global sea level. Contributed by Marshall J Taylor (mjt@U.Arizona.EDU)

ENERGY, RESOURCES, & POLLUTION

National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education

I managed to uncover some interesting and even slightly germane URLs in my brief travels. This is fairly interesting -- talks some about pollution prevention and gives many other sources to explore. Contributed by Alex C Risch (alex@GAS.UUG.Arizona.EDU)

Solstice

As some of you know, I am an aerospace engineering student. My big thing, if you haven't guessed, is renewable energy. . . windmills in particular. So this URL should come as no surprise. This is Solstice. It is the WWW page run by the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST). It is an informational page dealing with energy efficiency, Renewable & Alternative Energy, Environment, Legislation, Policy & Economics, Planning, Education & Social Issues, Computers Networking, and info on CREST itself. This is a wonderful gateway to a LOT of information. Contributed by Donovan Malley (dmalley@gas.uug.arizona.edu)

Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project -- NCAR's Interdisciplinary Climate Systems Section

This is an entry about how the government is looking for a site for a nuclear waste repository in the Yucca Mountains in Nevada. This site is important for the study of the effects of climatic change on the long term storage of high level nuclear waste. Contributed by Gretchen R Arendsen (gra@U.Arizona.EDU)

EARTH IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNIVERSE

Introduction to Astronomy and Astronomy Without a Telescope

This article discussed the relationship of how we see planets when looking into the sky, and what we are really seeing is what it used to be because it takes the radiation longer to get here. As well as the motion of the sun, time zones, season, planetary motions, and many other subjects of interest. Contributed by Kyle Patterson (jkp@U.Arizona.EDU)

A Brief Tour of our Universe

This is very interesting! It includes a little about our solar system, the planets, the sun, the stars, meteors, comets, and even galaxies! There are pictures to make it more interesting. I think the part about the sun may be helpful to us for our reading of the first few pages in our new book. Contributed by Denise M Quinterri (deniseq@U.Arizona.EDU)

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