NOAA/ESRL Global Monitoring Division
GMD's mission is to observe and understand, through accurate, long-term records of atmospheric gases, aerosol particles, and solar radiation, the Earth's atmospheric system controlling climate forcing, ozone depletion and baseline air quality, in order to develop products that will advance global and regional environmental information and services. | |
Climate Forcing
GMD conducts sustained observations and research related to global distributions, trends, sources and sinks of
atmospheric constituents that are capable of forcing change in the climate of the Earth. This research will
advance climate projections and provide scientific policy-relevant, decision support information to enhance
society's ability to plan and respond.
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Ozone Depletion
GMD conducts research on the depletion of the global stratospheric ozone layer and Antarctic ozone hole through
global surface-based monitoring of total-column ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and ozone-depleting gases, including
those regulated by the Montreal Protocol. Continued surveillance is necessary in order to verify the expected
recovery of the ozone layer.
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Baseline Air Quality
GMD monitors levels of air quality elements such as tropospheric ozone, carbon monoxide and aerosol
particles in non-source regions which may be affected by long range transport from distant sources
of industrial pollution. This large-scale transport affects baseline air quality which must be monitored
in order to determine the importance of regional sources that may impact the environment and public health.
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Upcoming Seminars
Other GMD News
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2008 Sees Fifth Largest Ozone Hole
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New Insights into Plant Uptake of Carbonyl Sulfide Aid Global Carbon Cycle Model
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The Sun rises over a frozen plateau; South Pole, Antarctica, Sept. 22, 2008
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The BBC tours the ESRL climate observatory in Barrow, Alaska with the station's chief, Dan Endres.
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NOAA's SURFRAD (Surface Radiation) Network supports the 2008 North American Solar Car Challenge