NASA Scientists Help Citites Prepare for Climate Change

Narration: Katy Mersmann

Transcript:

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Climate Resilience

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NASA scientists are working with officials from Rio de Janeiro and New York City,

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using satellite data, to prepare for the effects of climate change.

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Climate resilience focuses on anticipating and preparing for issues

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like sea level rise and urban heat islands.

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Sea Level Rise

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Melting glaciers and the expansion of water as it warms contribute to rising sea levels.

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NASA scientists use climate models to predict how and where the seas will rise.

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In New York, city officials take these projections into account while rebuilding from major storms

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like Hurricane Sandy, and anticipating future coastal flooding.

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Urban Heat Islands

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Dark surfaces like pavement in cities absorb heat. As green spaces disappear,

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expanding cities lose the cooling effect of plants evaporating water.

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As a result, cities are often warmer than their surrounding areas.

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NASA scientists use thermal bands from satellites like Landsat and MODIS

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to understand how city layouts can affect the heat they produce.