The GLOBE Program is in a unique position to provide citizens worldwide with amazing benefits. One of the biggest benefits, I feel, it that of gaining a larger perspective.
I work at Goddard Space Flight Center with the GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) mission. This Earth-observing satellite is able to measure global precipitation and update these measurements every 30 minutes. You can see the latest data animation for the past week here. As NASA is a key sponsor of The GLOBE Program, many of us who work for NASA are able to share the unique perspectives that Earth-observing satellites obtain from space.
Another hat that I wear is that of being an important part of The GLOBE Program. As a Master Trainer and a co-organizer of the ENSO Phase III "Water in Our Environment" field measurement campaign, I enjoy the opportunity to work with GLOBE scientists, teachers, and students worldwide and assist them in communicating and collaborating. Last week, our webinar focused on two distinct regions of the world: Texas and Nigeria. GLOBE scientists Oluwafemi Oluwale and Akinwumija Akinola from two different cities in Nigeria shared fascinating presentations on the uses and availability of freshwater resources in their regions. Dr. Akin's college students then discussed their research on the impact of surface temperature on their freshwater resources. Next, we heard from GLOBE teacher Audra Edwards's high school students who have studied water quality in Hawkins, Texas. (You can see their presentations and the archived webinar here.) They not only described how and why they conducted their GLOBE investigations, but also shared some of the ways in which they communicated their results to others. One of the main "take-aways" from hearing both groups of students present information on the availability and quality of their freshwater resources was that they have become stewards for their environments. This is something I often hear from those who are involved with The GLOBE Program- that being involved in this program encourages global environmental stewardship. What could possibly be more important in this day and age?!
Today I saw a news report entitled "New Partnership Aids Sustainable Growth with Earth Observations" that outlines a new international partnership between NASA and the nonprofit "Conservation International". They plan to use global Earth observations from space to improve regional efforts that assess natural resources for conservation and sustainable management. Take a few minutes to read how this partnership will take advantage of the use of satellite data and ground observations to improve land ecosystems in Africa and to look at water resources along the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. As I read over this article, it helped me to consider that this broad perspective that we gain from being involved with The GLOBE Program greatly enhances our abilities to care for and conserve our natural resources.
