The links in this site augment the information in the text.
- Earth Observatory
NASA's Earth Observatory site provides stunning images, breaking news, and current mission data from several spacecraft in Earth orbit. It also hosts interactive experiments using Remote Sensing to study how and why Earth changes. This award-winning site covers topics from urban sprawl to rural biomes, as well as global climate change and local disasters. It gives hands-on experience in fire detection, earthquake investigation, oil spill monitoring, and a host of other timely issues.
- Flood Hazard Mapping
Part of the Federal Emergency Mapping Agency, this is part of their mitigation program. The site has information about the Flood Hazard Insurance Program, the creation of flood maps (areas susceptible to flooding), and repair and rebuilding assistance.
- Cascades Volcano Observatory
While most people think of Hawaii when they think of American volcanoes, the Cascades range in the western United States is the site of significant volcanic activity, most notably Mount St. Helens in 1980. This site has links to history, pictures, and information about volcanoes in general, volcanic activity in the U.S., and volcanoes around the world.
- World Data Center
This site is headquartered at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is part of an international organization of data collection and cataloging about an entire range of earth science and geographical information. The information covers a broad range, including earthquake information, extreme storms, Earth movements, sunspot activity, and tide information.
- Red Cross/Red Crescent
Providing disaster relief to millions worldwide, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organization with nearly 180 member states. This site links to various operations and crisis areas worldwide.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Mandated by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the world's leading authority on the possibility of global climate change and its likely consequences. This site links to a number of IPCC publications and reports as well as to international conventions on biodiversity and long-range transboundary air pollution.
- Presidential Directive on Food Security
In this Presidential Direction, the Department of Homeland Security is charged with ensuring the safe production and distribution of food throughout the United States. This site not only provides insights to the concerns of a nation at war, but it highlights the vulnerability of food systems even in a relatively prosperous and locally peaceful environment. Links to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services are provided.
