May 14, 2013
Mystery Solved: Previously Unexplained Higher Levels of Greenhouse Gas in L.A. from Fossil-Fuel Sources
The missing link—exactly where the extra methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is coming from in Los Angeles—has finally been identified, according to a study led by a scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
May 9, 2013
The origins of cirrus: Earth’s highest clouds have dusty core
The thin, wispy clouds known as “cirrus” cover nearly a third of the globe and are found high in the atmosphere—5 to 10 miles above the surface. But a new study shows that they typically have a very down-to-earth core, consisting of dust and metallic particles. Read More ...
May 2, 2013
New Book Release: CIRES Researchers Contribute to Analysis of Southwest’s Climate Future
In an era of increasing climate instability, the southwestern United States faces strained water resources, greater prevalence of tree-killing pests, and potentially significant alterations of agricultural infrastructure. These threats and challenges as well as others are detailed in the new book, “Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States.” Read More ...
April 22, 2013
Pace of Change Quickens as Climate Warms
As the planet warms, not only do Earth’s climate zones keep shifting—they actually shift at an accelerating pace, according to a new study led by a scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). This acceleration of change means that the species inhabiting each zone have less time to adapt to the climatic changes. Read More ...
April 8, 2013
First independent confirmation of global land warming
A unique and innovative new observational study that did not use temperature recordings from land stations has confirmed global land warming, according to a scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
April 3, 2013
Thin, low Arctic clouds played an important role in the massive 2012 Greenland ice melt
Clouds over the central Greenland Ice Sheet last July were “just right” for driving surface temperatures there above the melting point, according to a new study by a team of scientists including a scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
March 18, 2013
‘Chasing Ice’ filmmaker to discuss his gripping glacial photography and debut unseen footage at Macky Auditorium April 1
Filmmaker and adventurer James Balog will share his stirring and beautiful glacial photography revealing changes in climate at a free event at 7 p.m., Monday, April 1 in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Macky Auditorium. Read More ...
March 15, 2013
Origin of Life: Essential Step in Chemistry Unraveled
While scientists believe that water is necessary for the emergence of life on a planet, new findings suggest the water surface may play a more integral role, according to researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
March 11, 2013
High and Dry—Probing Greenland’s Atmosphere and Clouds
Scattering the skies above the Greenland Ice Sheet, seemingly innocent puffy, white clouds may be playing a key role in the region’s climate and ultimately the ice sheet’s destiny, according to a new study led by a scientist at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
March 4, 2013
Sizing up black carbon in snow
Black carbon particles—often referred to as “soot particles”— in snow are larger than expected, according to a new study led by scientists at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
March 1, 2013
Volcanic aerosols, not pollutants, tamped down recent Earth warming
In the search for clues as to why Earth did not warm as much as scientists expected between 2000 and 2010, researchers have discovered the answer is hiding in plain sight. The study, led by a scientist from NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), showed that dozens of volcanoes spewing sulfur dioxide have tempered the warming. Read More ...
January 24, 2013
High Levels of Air-Cleansing Compound Discovered Over Ocean
Researchers have detected the presence of a pollutant-destroying compound—iodine monoxide (IO)—in surprisingly high levels high above the tropical ocean, according to a new study led by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
January 17, 2013
Western Water Assessment Receives RISA Award
Jan. 16, NOAA announced seven multi-year awards totaling $600,000 to Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) research teams—including CIRES Western Water Assessment—to encourage collaboration with federal and non-federal partners on climate adaptation. Read More ...
January 15, 2013
Black carbon is much larger cause of climate change than previously assessed
Black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming and its influence on climate has been greatly underestimated, according to the first quantitative and comprehensive analysis of this pollutant’s climate impact. Read More ...
January 14, 2013
TweetChat: Ask CIRES experts about air-quality impacts of oil and gas operations
Emissions from oil and natural gas operations north of Denver could add to ozone pollution in that region, according to a new study by researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). The study was published online Jan. 14 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
To learn more about this study and talk to the research scientists involved, please join us for a CIRES TweetChat. The scientists answering your questions will be CIRES scientists Jessica Gilman, Joost de Gouw, and Brian Lerner. Read More ...
January 14, 2013
Oil and Gas Wells Contribute Fuel for Ozone Pollution
Emissions from oil and natural gas operations north of Denver could add to ozone pollution in that region, according to a new study by researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Read More ...
January 4, 2013
Media Advisory: Highlights of CIRES science at AMS
Scientists from the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) will present new research at next week’s 93rd American Meteorological Society (AMS) Meeting in Austin, Texas. Read More ...
