Photo: J. Cozic, NOAA / CIRES
NASA P-3B in flight sampling Arctic haze layer over Alaska during ARCPAC
Climate Change
In CSD, researchers build instruments to make precise measurements, conduct laboratory experiments, design and operate field missions, analyze observations, and use sophisticated computer models to better understand how our changing atmosphere is influencing climate – and therefore people.
CSD groups involved in climate change research
Cloud & Aerosol Processes: airborne & surface observations, data interpretation
Atmospheric Remote Sensing: airborne & surface observations, data interpretation
Regional Chemical Modeling: model studies, data interpretation, field campaigns
Chemical Processes & Instrument Development: laboratory studies
Atmospheric Composition & Chemical Processes: airborne observations, data interpretation
Tropospheric Chemistry: airborne & surface observations, data interpretation
Chemistry & Climate Processes: model studies, data interpretation, field campaigns
Water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases and particles absorb infrared light that would normally escape to space. This natural "greenhouse effect" warms the planet's atmosphere, and without it the Earth would be an inhospitable, frozen planet. But greenhouse gases are now building up in Earth's atmosphere, emitted from the tailpipes of cars, the stacks of power plants, and by many other human activities. The changes caused by human activities are large, and they are now happening at an unprecedented rate.
CSD research related to climate change
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