EarthSky offers condolences on the passing of Mous Chahine (1935-2011). He will be missed. We recorded this interview with Dr. Chahine in 2009.

Stephens said that when scientists learn how clouds interact with other forces in the atmosphere, models predicting future climate will become much more accurate.

Gentemann uses satellite mapping of the ocean to help protect marine life – animals such as loggerhead turtles, salmon, and whales.

“This has been one of the most outstandingly successful investments in understanding the Earth from space. The mission has been incredibly productive in terms of providing data that is extremely useful, even after 10 years of being up there,” says Imhoff.

“I think society needs to realize the importance of accurately measuring the climate system. A doctor who examines a patient needs to have the right tools to monitor a patient’s vital signs. And it’s the same thing with the climate system,” says Loeb.

Raxworthy is searching for what he calls a ‘cryptic’ species of chameleons – those hard to distinguish from chameleons already known – that might help revolutionize our understanding of how evolution works.

“Dust is something that travels very far, from one continent to the next across the oceans. The vantage point of space gives you a perspective that you can’t see from the ground,” says Remer.

Within the U.S., the most pervasive problems with regards to air quality are in the area of ozone and particle pollution, says Szykman.

Running believes that while Earth’s plants might slow down global warming by removing CO2 from the air, he doesn’t think plants offer a long-term solution to global warming.

“Prior to satellites,” said Parkinson, “communities would be struck by a hurricane with pretty much no warning at all. Now, any hurricane that starts to form, satellites will pick it up.”

Key gets wind information from NASA’s polar-orbiting satellites, called Terra and Aqua. He uses this wind information to analyze the jet stream, and help predict global weather.

In this 8 minute podcast, atmospheric scientist llan Koren talks about how smoke over the Amazon affects not only the immediate forest, but also global climate because of its dramatic impact on Earth’s clouds.

Geologist Jean-Philippe Avouac talks about using satellite imagery to study earthquakes in this 8-minute podcast.

Jon Ranson talks about studying vegetation via satellite, and how carbon relates to climate change, in this 8-minute *EarthSky Clear Voices for Science* podcast.

Volcanologist Michael Ramsey studies volcanoes both up close and with images from NASA’s Terra satellite. Listen to him discuss the search for signs of volcanic eruptions in this 8-minute podcast.

NASA glaciologist Robert Bindschadler talks about what Earth’s ice sheets can reveal about climate, past and future, in this 8-minute podcast.

Gabriele Pfister talks about how pollution from wildfires affects the entire world in this 8-minute podcast.

NASA’s Bruce Wielicki talks about how clouds affect the energy Earth receives, keeps, and emits back to space – what scientists call Earth’s energy balance – in this 8-minute EarthSky podcast

Oceanographer Josh Willis talks about the role oceans play in Earth’s energy balance in this 8-minute *Clear Voices for Science* podcast.

Is flooding increasing around the world? EarthSky talks with Bob Brakenridge, founder of the Dartmouth Flood Observatory, about mapping global flooding in this 8-minute *Clear Voices for Science* podcast.