Admittedly, I do know that much about economics. I do love behavioral economics, though. Seems we have a few things coming up this week in that vein.

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The NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program

The NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program, led by Dr. Dawn Gelino and a distinguished team of scientists and engineers, strives to discover and analyze planets beyond our solar system in hopes of identifying habitable worlds and signs of life. This ambitious endeavor, supported by cutting-edge technology and public engagement efforts, aims to expand our understanding of the universe and inspire humanity by pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration as fuel gauge

The paper uses a thought experiment to argue that the continued reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and that transitioning to a fossil-free energy system is urgent. By treating historical atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels as a proxy for fossil fuel reserves, it highlights that the current CO2 rise indicates rapid fuel depletion, which should convince skeptics of the need for a true-zero transition. The paper critiques the feasibility of carbon capture technologies and emphasizes that carbon trading schemes only offer temporary solutions, suggesting that the remaining fossil fuel reserves will be exhausted within a century without significant changes in energy policy.

Climate Change: Where are We and Where are We Going, in Five Recent Books?

Through a deeply reflective journey along Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction, this article elucidates the stark realities of climate change and its complex entanglement with human systems and attitudes. It challenges us to re-evaluate our economic and cultural frameworks, emphasizing a shift from consumerism to citizenship, and highlights the profound need for local, collaborative solutions to mitigate the effects of an already accelerating crisis, all while underscoring the enduring resilience of Earth’s systems and the imperative of hope-driven action, not just resignation or passive acceptance.

The effects of climate change on EO/IR propagation using CMIP6 global atmospheric forecasting simulations

The article highlights the alarming impact of climate change on the performance of Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors, revealing a potential 20% reduction in atmospheric transmittance by 2100 due to increased atmospheric water vapor, especially under the worst-case climate scenario. This degradation threatens the efficacy of EO/IR technologies crucial for applications like crop monitoring, wildlife protection, and environmental disaster response, underscoring the urgent need for emission-reducing policies to safeguard these vital systems against the unchecked advance of climate change.

Trump administration promotes federal role in AI education

The Trump administration has taken a significant step away from its previous policy of returning educational control to the states by establishing a federal Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force. This initiative aims to cultivate AI skills and literacy nationwide, involving federal partnerships with local school districts and educators to integrate AI education into high schools, ultimately seeking to maintain the U.S.’s leadership in AI innovation and workforce readiness.

White House Proposal Could Gut Climate Modeling the World Depends On

The Trump administration’s proposed drastic funding cuts to NOAA endanger crucial climate research and forecasting capabilities, particularly targeting the prestigious Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at Princeton, which could have profound negative impacts on climate preparedness, the U.S. economy, national security, and global environmental leadership. By undermining vital scientific resources and partnerships, these actions risk turning back decades of progress and reducing the United States’ ability to effectively respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.