Does the USGS monitor global warming?

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Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time, but big on science. I'm Steve Sobieszczyk. But enough about me, let's see what you want to know about.

Does the USGS monitor global warming?

Not specifically. Our charge is to understand characteristics of the earth, especially the earth's surface, that affect our Nation's land, water, and biological resources. That includes quite a bit of environmental monitoring but other agencies, especially NOAA and NASA, are specifically funded to monitor global temperature and atmospheric phenomena such as ozone concentrations. Our work at USGS in the Global Change and Climate History Program focuses on understanding the likely consequences of climate change, especially by studying how climate has changed in the past.

And now you know. Join us every weekday for a new CoreFact. If you're looking for more in-depth science coverage, please check out the USGS CoreCast at usgs.gov/corecast. If you think you have a question that's worth answering on the air, send it to us either via email at corefacts@usgs.gov [that's C-O-R-E-F-A-C-T-S at USGS dot GOV] or give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-648-5600; and that is a long distance number, unless you're in the 703 area code, so long distance fees do apply.

The USGS CoreFacts is a product of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

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