At CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences, hundreds of environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES is a partnership of NOAA and the University of Colorado Boulder, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, and solid Earth sciences.
Videos
Greenland's "Sponge" Affected By Climate Change
A new study of snow and ice layers high on the Greenland ice sheet shows that recent atmospheric warming is changing the ability of these layers - called firn - to store meltwater, which can result in a faster release of runoff from the ice sheet.
Shrinking Satellites
University of Colorado Boulder researchers and students are shrinking satellites, figuring out how to collect critical Earth observations at a lower cost and to more effectively track environmental changes.
Dust on Snow: Then and Now
CIRES scientists at the Western Water Assessment study the effect that dust emissions have on Colorado's snow pack and on the Colorado River.
CIRES 45th Anniversary
CIRES has been a leader in Earth science research for the past 45 years. Check out this retrospective video featuring three former CIRES directors.
Alaska Erosion
Alaska's northern coastline is eroding at rates as high as 30 meters (100 feet) per year. This time-lapse video shows that incredible erosion process between June 26 and July 27, 2008.
Oil and Gas Wells Contribute to Ozone Formation?
CIRES scientists study how oil and natural gas production on Colorado's Front Range contribute to the formation of ozone.
Science In Flight
Scientists from CIRES and NOAA and colleagues from dozens of other institutions took a detailed look at the natural and manmade emissions that affect air quality in the Southeast.
Melting Glacier Mystery
A CIRES and NASA study examines why many glaciers in the Alps abruptly retreated around 1860, although temperatures at the time were relatively cool.