Ask NASA Climate

With 26 Earth-observing satellite missions, as well as instruments flying on planes and the space station, NASA has a global vantage point for studying our changing planet. The agency will share that knowledge and data at the 28th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) happening from Thursday, Nov. 30 to Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Such high-tide flooding that inundates roads and buildings along the west coast of the Americas tends to be uncommon outside of El Niño years, but that could change by the 2030s.

Data from NASA and other institutions show that the global decline in coral reefs is mainly driven by climate change and other human actions, including pollution. While some corals survive even under harsh conditions, scientists emphasize the importance of taking action to better protect and manage reefs.

Methane ‘hot spots’ in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are more likely to be found where recent wildfires burned into the tundra, altering carbon emissions from the land.

Months of excessive heat and drought have parched the Mississippi River. Find out why water levels dropped so low, as seen in a September 2023 satellite image.

Data on sea surface heights around the world from the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission yields a mesmerizing view of the planet’s ocean.

NISAR will help researchers explore how changes in Earth’s forest and wetland ecosystems are affecting the global carbon cycle and influencing climate change.

Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich is the latest satellite contributing to a 30-year sea level record that researchers are using to compare this year’s El Niño with those of the past.

Scientists using space-based radar found that land in New York City is sinking at varying rates from human and natural factors. A few spots are rising.

The annual Arctic sea ice minimum (lowest) annual extent was the sixth-lowest on record this year, while Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest maximum ever. These both continue a long-term downward trend due to human-caused global warming.

The international Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission is able to measure ocean features, like El Niño, closer to a coastline than previous space-based missions.

The instrument will enable nonprofit organization Carbon Mapper to pinpoint and measure methane and carbon dioxide sources from space.