got geoint?

Does anyone remember the kids’ TV show from the 70′s called “The Big Blue Marble”? While the show was more about embracing a multicultural existence for children, we are bringing it up more because the “big blue marble” seems to be popping up more in the news. From our recent post on the intelligence community acknowledging climate change as a national security threat to the mapping of shoreline erosion off of the Chesapeake Bay, the environment keeps coming up. So, for our Friday’s Food for Thought, we decided to go with an environmental theme. Hope you enjoy.

Ever heard of Planet Hacking??
Neither have we. But it is some crazy stuff. It is basically the concept of “geoengineering,” whereby scientists develop strategies and tactics for influencing the environment (i.e. trying to diminish global warming or mitigate a hurricane). Here’s what we think. Don’t mess with mother nature.

Mapping Erosion and Shoreline Abatement on the Chesapeake
Many of us GEOINTers in the Washington, DC region certainly enjoy spending some down time on the Chesapeake Bay. The good news (errr, not sure if this is good),is that there is more bay for us to enjoy. In a recent Washington Post article, sea levels are rising twice as fast on the Chesapeake compared to the rest of the world. Don’t believe us? Check out this map below:


The Environment and National Security: Been on the Radar Since 1996
Our recent post about the intelligence and defense communities considering strategies for linking the environment to national security caused a few very insightful and dare we say, biting, comments. In fact one got geoint? reader said: “There are a lot of really important things to worry about – Global warming is not one of them.” What is interesting that concerns about the climate and national security is nothing new. Here’s the transcript of a speech by Sherri Wasserman Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security), in 1996 on this very topic.

700 Scientists Discredit Man-Made Global Warming Fears
At got geoint?, we try to show both sides of the issue and leave the debate up to our readers. We like comments! So, when it comes to the environment, we don’t really know what to believe. Was Al Gore a bit too extreme in his analysis of global warming? Conversely, on the other side, are scientists contesting global warming completely unbiased? We don’t have a clue. We will just point to this article about 700 scientists discrediting the fact that humans are influencing global warming. Again, please share your thoughts with us.

The Planet is Fine
This next item will certainly please the got geoint? fan who believes that global warming is not something to worry about. Here’s the classic George Carlin stand up bit where he discusses how the planet is fine. Mind you, this came out in like 1992, sooo…the times have changed a bit when it comes to the environment. None-the-less, still funny stuff. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Tags: climate change, environment, environment and defense, GEOINT, George Carlin, got geoint?, Intelligence Community