Our Changing Planet
Darlene Cavalier
2011-05-01 00:00:00
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The first event was held at Yale University on January 25, 2011, and the just-broadcast video of that program is posted below. It first aired on the Weather Channel, this weekend. A feature article will appear in the June issue of Discover magazine (available on newsstands in mid-May).



The second event in the series was held at George Washington University on April 12. The final televised town hall meeting will be held at Arizona State University on August 25. The series can be followed on Twitter #ChangingPlanet

This series is produced by Discover magazine and NBC Learn in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, Planet Forward, and Science For Citizens (which I co-founded).




There are many ways you can get personally involved in climate-related research to help scientists better understand our changing planet. Here is just one example currently featured on Science For Citizens.
robin
Researchers need your help in tracking the presence of American robins (Turdus migratorius) so they can compare your observations with other environmental data, including climate and weather changes.

American robins are arriving in the Colorado Rockies fourteen days earlier than they did 30 years ago and have been spotted in parts of Alaska for the first time. Because robins consume a wide variety of foods, an increase or decrease in their population may indicate (or impact) changes in other animal and plant species. It’s time for you to get involved and help the planet!

1. Spot a robin

2. Record the date and location

3. Take note of its activity (What is it doing? What is it eating? Is it near other birds?)


Now, share your observations here, and, in the process, you'll be helping researchers at Nature’s Notebook, a project of the USA National Phenology Network. The scientists will report back to you regularly!