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NASA Satellite Measures Earth's Carbon Metabolism

Posted by michael on from the fat-burning-machine dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "To celebrate Earth Day, the NASA Earth Observatory recently revealed global measurements of the Earth's metabolism. 'Combining space-based measurements of a range of plant properties collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) with a suite of other satellite and surface-based measurements, NASA scientists produce composite maps of our world's 'net primary production' every 8 days. This new measurement is called net production because it indicates how much carbon dioxide is taken in by vegetation during photosynthesis minus how much is given off during respiration.' Check this column for a summary including the usefulness of such measurements. You'll also find maps showing the seasonal variation of Earth's net primary production."

3 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. Competition . . . by Dausha · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    "As you can see, there is a lot of activity in the oceans."

    You see, this is the kind of scientist we need. A scientist who isn't afraid to praise performance and give credit where it is due. However, we also need a motivational scientist. You know, the sort who will show these findings to trees and grass and ask them:

    "why aren't you working harder? Look at the oceans, they're doing their part . . . and they're not even green! You make me sick. Look at December 2002 . . . look at it! You guys weren't doing crap. What was that? Hi-ber-na-tion? What load of bull are you trying to pull? Do you think you've earned a four-month vacation? 'In your genes?''Can't be helped?' I-don't-think-so Mr. Oak. Now, drop and give me 20 while I go find a gene therapist to make you an evergreen.

    --
    What those who want activist courts fear is rule by the people.
  2. Global Warming? by petronivs · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I'm really surprised no one's started a serious global warming flame. really.

    --
    This is the real signature
    (Beats those shadows on the cave wall, don't it?)
    1. Re:Global Warming? by petronivs · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Someone will come along to tell us that global warming is a liberal commie tree-hugger myth. With luck, they'll also rant about how this study is an absurd waste of money that could better go to tax cuts for CEO's and bombing the shit out of little brown people.

      On the other hand, someone will come along to tell us that not near enough attention is being paid to global warming and to worldwide ecosystems, and that this study somehow proves it.
      Then they'll start ranting that this study is a blatant capitalist plug to try to defenestrate global warming.

      --
      This is the real signature
      (Beats those shadows on the cave wall, don't it?)