Astronauts-in-training are sure to be disappointed by the White House's budget plans for NASA, but the rest of us terra-bound Earthlings should be relieved. President Obama's new budget is cutting funding for the Constellation program that was set to return the U.S.A. to the moon by 2020. But, as the Orlando Sentinel reports, "In the meantime, the White House will direct NASA to concentrate on Earth-science projects - principally, researching and monitoring climate change."Certainly this is good news for outspoken climatologist Dr. James Hansen and his team who monitor global climate change at Columbia's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS). And the rest of us whose futures depend on their work.Map courtesy of the Goddard Institute for Space StudiesThis post originally appeared on www.refresheverything.com, as part of GOOD's collaboration with the Pepsi Refresh Project, a catalyst for world-changing ideas. Find out more about the Refresh campaign, or to submit your own idea today.NASA Turns Focus Back Towards Earth
Astronauts-in-training are sure to be disappointed by the White House's budget plans for NASA, but the rest of us terra-bound Earthlings should be...
By Ben JerveyFeb 04, 2010
Ben Jervey
Ben is a writer and editor covering climate change, energy, and environment, and is currently the Climate and Energy Media Fellow at Vermont Law School. He was the original Environment Editor at GOOD Magazine and his work has appeared regularly in National Geographic News, Grist, DeSmogBlog, and OnEarth. He recently worked with the non-profit Focus the Nation to publish an Energy 101 primer. When living in New York City, he wrote a book, The Big Green Apple, on how to live a lower impact life in the city. A bicycle enthusiast, Ben has ridden across the United States and through much of Europe.
Otis knew before they did.