Center for Global Change and Earth Observations

Center for Global Change and Earth Observations is a research institute located at Michigan State University that focuses on understanding and addressing the complex issues related to global change and earth observations. The center is part of the Michigan State University's College of Social Science and works closely with other departments, including the Department of Geography, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The center's research is interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The center's work is also informed by international partnerships, including those with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

● Introduction

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the complex interactions between human and natural systems, with a focus on climate change, land use change, and biodiversity conservation. The center's research draws on a range of disciplines, including geography, ecology, economics, and policy studies, and involves collaborations with University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and other institutions. The center's work is also informed by engagement with policy makers, stakeholders, and communities, including those involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The center's research has been recognized through awards, including the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Career Award and the Association of American Geographers' (AAG) Honors Award.

● History

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations was established in 1991 as a response to the growing recognition of the need for interdisciplinary research on global change issues. The center's founding director was Dr. David Skole, a renowned ecologist and remote sensing expert who had previously worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Under Dr. Skole's leadership, the center established partnerships with USDA Forest Service, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and launched a range of research initiatives, including the Land Use and Land Cover Change project and the Global Observatory for Ecosystem Services (GOES). The center has since undergone several expansions and reorganizations, including the establishment of a new Ph.D. program in Global Change and Earth Observations in 2010.

● Research Focus

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations has a broad research focus that encompasses several key areas, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, land use planning and management, and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. The center's research involves the use of a range of remote sensing and geospatial analysis techniques, including Landsat and MODIS data, as well as field observations and experiments. The center's researchers have made significant contributions to our understanding of tropical deforestation, agricultural intensification, and urbanization, and have worked with policy makers and stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable land use and climate change mitigation strategies. The center's research has been published in top-tier journals, including Nature, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

● Organization and Partnerships

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations is organized into several research groups, each focusing on a specific area of research, including climate change, land use change, and biodiversity conservation. The center has established partnerships with a range of organizations, including NASA, NOAA, and the USGS, as well as international organizations, such as the IPCC and the GEO. The center is also a member of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) and the Association of American Geographers (AAG). The center's researchers have collaborated with University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and other institutions on research projects, including the Global Land Project and the Earth System Science Partnership.

● Publications and Outreach

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations has published numerous research papers, reports, and books, including the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The center's researchers have also written for popular audiences, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and National Geographic. The center has a strong outreach and engagement program, which includes workshops, conferences, and training programs for policy makers, stakeholders, and communities. The center has also developed a range of educational materials, including curricula and teaching resources, for use in K-12 education and higher education.

● Facilities and Resources

The Center for Global Change and Earth Observations is located in the Natural Resources Building on the Michigan State University campus, and has access to a range of facilities and resources, including remote sensing and geospatial analysis laboratories, field equipment, and computing resources. The center is also home to the Global Observatory for Ecosystem Services (GOES), which provides data and analysis on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. The center's researchers have access to NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) and NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), as well as other data sources and research infrastructure. The center is also a member of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Category:Research institutes