Podcast Summary
Pre-diabetes detection: Pre-diabetes can be detected through a simple one-minute test and managed to prevent progression to diabetes. NASA uses data from space to monitor Earth's climate changes caused by greenhouse gases.
Just as we wish for warnings in our daily lives, we are given the opportunity to take action when it comes to pre-diabetes. Unlike unforeseen circumstances, pre-diabetes is a condition that can be detected and managed through a simple one-minute test, available at doihabprediabetes.org. Meanwhile, NASA, an organization often associated with space exploration, also plays a crucial role in monitoring Earth's climate from space. According to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies Director, Gavin Schmidt, the Earth's temperature has risen almost 1.5 degrees Celsius or about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit over the last century. This warming trend has led to various climate changes, including heat waves, intense rainfall, melting glaciers, and sea level rise. By studying these changes from space, NASA gains valuable insights into the impact of greenhouse gases on our planet. So, while we may not have a warning app for every situation in life, we do have the power to take action when it comes to pre-diabetes, and NASA continues to monitor and learn about the Earth's changing climate.
NASA climate data: NASA collects climate data using satellites in Earth's orbit, measuring various phenomena, and has maintained long-term records for temperature, radiation, ozone, water vapor, and ice sheet mass over the last 20 years
NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt and his team collect vast amounts of climate data using instruments in Earth's orbit, measuring various phenomena such as temperatures, winds, clouds, radiation, and air pollution. New measurements include the recently launched PACE satellite, which tracks atmospheric particles in real-time. While NASA has been good at implementing new measurements, it has struggled to maintain long-term records. However, the last 20 years have seen three satellites in orbit continuously, tracking trends in temperature, radiation, ozone, water vapor, and ice sheet mass. These long-term records are crucial for understanding climate change and its causes.
Satellite Gravity Measurements: Satellite gravity measurements can detect changes in mass, revealing the presence of mountains or melting ice caps, but climate modeling has limitations due to unaccounted microscopic processes within clouds.
A pair of satellites in orbit measure the distance between each other with extreme precision, which allows them to detect changes in gravity. These changes can reveal the presence of mass, such as mountains or melting ice caps. Gravity, though often thought of as smooth and spherical, actually contains bumps and wiggles. The biggest mass shifts in the climate system currently are due to melting glaciers and ice sheets. However, climate modeling has limitations. Despite creating digital twins of the climate system with simulations, there are processes occurring at microscopic scales within clouds that cannot be captured with this technology. As a result, approximations must be made.
Climate impacts measurement: Measuring the impact of climate actions or policies can be challenging due to the complexity and noise of the climate system, but immediate impacts like reduced sulphur emissions can provide valuable insights and long-term shifts like the UK's coal reduction can lead to significant changes.
While we can make approximations and calculations about climate change and its impacts, the climate system is complex and noisy, making it difficult to measure the impact of our actions or policies in real time. It can take decades to see significant changes, such as reductions in carbon dioxide or methane concentrations. However, there are examples of immediate impacts, like the International Maritime Organization's regulation change in 2020 that led to a noticeable reduction in sulphur emissions and subsequent changes in clouds. The UK's decision to drastically reduce coal usage is another example of a long-term shift with measurable impacts, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. NASA's climate data provides valuable information about the planet, but the challenge lies in effectively utilizing this data to drive meaningful change on a global scale.
Clean Energy Transition, Space Industry: The US is making progress in reducing emissions through the growth of renewable energy, substitution of natural gas for coal, and policies that incentivize clean tech investment. The space industry is growing, but its climate impact is being studied and mitigated. Overall, a cleaner energy future requires continued effort and collaboration.
Countries are transitioning from burning coal to cleaner energy sources, but it's a complex process with many steps. The US is making progress in reducing emissions through the growth of solar and wind energy, the substitution of natural gas for coal, and policies like the Inflation Reduction Act that incentivize investment in clean tech. This transition not only benefits the environment but also helps those most impacted by climate change. On a related note, the space industry, specifically rocket launches, is innovating and growing, but its impact on climate is still being studied and mitigated. Overall, there's progress being made towards a cleaner energy future, but it requires continued effort and collaboration from governments, businesses, and individuals.
Space launches impact on ozone layer: The increasing number of space launches could significantly impact the ozone layer through the production of soot particles and disposal of satellites, with uncertain consequences.
The increasing number of space launches, projected to reach over a thousand per year, could potentially have significant impacts on the environment, particularly the ozone layer. This is due to the production of soot particles, or black carbon, from incomplete combustion during launches. These particles absorb heat and can alter water vapor and ozone reactions in the stratosphere, leading to potential knock-on effects. Additionally, the disposal of large constellation satellites, which have a five-year operating license and burn up in the stratosphere, introduces a larger input of debris into the stratosphere than ever before, with uncertain implications. While efforts are being made to understand these impacts, there is a great deal of uncertainty and concern about the potential consequences.
Space Debris and Space Tourism Risks: Growing interest in space tourism raises concerns about space debris risks and the importance of addressing these concerns before major incidents occur.
There is growing interest, both regulatory and scientific, in the potential risks associated with the increasing number of space debris and the rising trend of space tourism. Gavin Schmidt, the director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, expressed his concerns about this issue and shared his personal aspirations of becoming an astronaut. The frequency of space tourism, with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin offering spots on their rockets, raises questions about the safety and potential consequences of space travel. Schmidt emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns before any major incidents occur. Additionally, Schmidt shared his background and how he ended up working at NASA despite his initial dream of becoming an astronaut.