Climate Change
From the unique vantage point in space, NASA collects critical long-term observations of our changing planet.
Using five decades of satellite, airborne, ground, and space-station based observations, NASA-funded researchers are working to understand Earth's evolving, interconnected systems and to decipher natural and human-caused changes. Those space-based views are supplemented by cutting-edge modeling tools, new technologies for observation, and hundreds of scientists and engineers. “NASA is committed to empowering scientists, decisionmakers, and people around the world to make data-based decisions when it comes to climate," says NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Recent NASA Climate News Highlights
A Global Biodiversity Crisis: How NASA Satellites Help Track Changes to Life on Earth
Climate change plays an increasing role in the global decline of biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth. Scientists use NASA data to track ecosystem changes and to develop tools for conserving life on land, in our ocean, and in freshwater ecosystems.
When Climate Gets Under Your Skin
From insect-borne diseases to seasonal allergies and “superbugs,” climate change is quite literally getting under our skin, affecting our health in often surprising ways.
Climate Data Resources
Sea Level Change Observations from Space
Established in 2014, this NASA-sponsored team works to improve the understanding of regional relative sea-level change on a range of timescales. They work with partners to translate the latest science and research into actionable information and to communicate how impacts are increasing at the coast.
NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS)
NCCS provides high performance computing for NASA-sponsored scientists and engineers. The purpose is to enhance NASA capabilities in Earth science, with an emphasis on weather and climate prediction, and to enable future scientific discoveries that will benefit humankind.
GISS Surface Temperature Analysis (GISTEMP)
NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies assembles one of the world's most trusted global temperature records, using a combination of surface air temperature data acquired by tens of thousands of meteorological stations, as well as sea surface temperature data from ship- and buoy-based instruments.
Global Modeling and Assimiliation Office (GMAO)
GMAO members perform research, develop models and assimilation systems, and produce quasi-operational products in support of NASA's missions. The Goddard Earth Observing System" (GEOS) family of models is used for applications across a wide range of spatial scales, from kilometers to many tens of kilometers.
World of Change
NASA Earth Observatory has produced a collection of image series that show some features of Earth that have changed over time due to both natural and human-induced causes.
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