Dr. Calvin advises NASA leadership on science programs and related strategic planning and investments. Also as a senior climate advisor, she provides insights and recommendations for related science, technology and infrastructure projects to climate action, from developing a New tools for hourly pollution monitoring to water-monitoring satellite launches.
NASA Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor, Dr. Katherine Calvin.
“Space exploration is inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers who can help solve challenges on Earth or in space.
As for climate, we’ve learned a lot about what happens on Earth by studying what happens on other planets. We learn about the ozone effect and the greenhouse gas effect by studying Venus, and we can apply that to our understanding here on Earth.
Galactic science for use on Earth
There’s a lot we can learn both about other planetary bodies that can tell us a lot about what’s going on here on Earth.
The space also offers opportunities for technology and innovation. As we live and work in space, we develop technologies that can help us here on Earth solve sustainability issues.
cosmic plants
There’s a lot of research on the International Space Station (ISS) that has applications here on Earth. There is water treatment – we reprocess the water we use on the ISS – and that technology has been used on Earth in places where we don’t have clean water.
We plant a tree on the ISS and the research we’ve done on LED lighting and fertilizers has applications on Earth as well. We’ve been working on a fertilizer that delivers nutrients to plant roots in the proportions they need, which in space means less input; On Earth, little flows into rivers and lakes.
Nutrient-rich micro-vegetables grown at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
Unique celestial view
There are many great examples of the importance of space or maybe in the future. Space gives us the opportunity to see the entire Earth and so we can provide information that helps people understand how the climate is changing and [generate] ideas and the inclusion and diversity of ideas to approach different aspects of the challenge.
We can observe trees, people and land cover from space. People used that information to understand how much carbon and where carbon is stored on land, and how that changed over time.
I try to relate to what’s going on where people are and talk about the science we know and what’s coming to help those decisions; like how the Earth is changing, how the climate is changing and this helps people adapt to changes where they live.
Space-based abilities
We have space-based capabilities that can monitor wildfires as well as measure sea level rise. Where there are fires, we can look at fire-related emissions, and that’s really important for people living in affected communities.
In addition, we combined models, produced by NASA and other organizations, to think about how sea levels could rise in the future.
NASA’s SERVIR initiative works with local organizations on how they can use satellite information to face challenges in their communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
A NASA image showing water features on New York’s Long Island.
interstellar inspiration
We also use space to inspire people. We’ve taken pictures of Earth from the Apollo or from the recent Artemis mission, and you can see the little blue ball in the distance.
On this Earth Day, let’s cherish our planet and raise awareness about the role the exploration and use of space plays in preserving its beauty.”
Learn more about United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) This.
Cultivation of seeds by cosmic radiation
