December 14, 2009
New report synthesizes scientific observations of Greenland Ice Sheet
Estimates indicate that between 1995 and 2000 the Greenland Ice Sheet lost on average 50 billion tons of ice each year and, in 2003–2006, the loss increased dramatically to an average of 160 billion tons annually. To express the magnitude of this amount, it would be enough to provide every inhabitant on Earth with 64 litres of fresh water daily for one year. Read more ...
December 10, 2009
Measuring organic "soup" improves climate modeling
It’s no secret that the emissions leaving a car tailpipe or factory smokestack affect climate and air quality. A major collaborative effort of more than 60 scientists, led by CIRES Fellow Jose-Luis Jimenez, finds the common ground in the jumble of organic material floating through the skies. Their solution will improve the speed and accuracy of prediction models used to understand how these aerosols affect climate and human health. Read more ...
November 24, 2009
Climate change accelerating beyond expectations, leading scientists say
Global ice-sheets are melting at an increased rate; Arctic sea-ice is disappearing much faster than recently projected, and future sea-level rise is now expected to be much higher than previously forecast, according to a new global scientific synthesis prepared by some of the world’s top climate scientists. Read more...
November 5, 2009
Map of bacterial diversity shows wide interpersonal differences
A University of Colorado at Boulder team has developed the first atlas of bacterial diversity across the human body, charting wide variations in microbe populations that live in different regions of the body and which aid us in physiological functions that contribute to our health. Read more...
November 4, 2009
Flying to the ends of the Earth to measure greenhouse gases
CIRES and NOAA scientists continue a multiyear effort to paint a three-dimensional portrait of greenhouse gas distribution in the atmosphere. Information gathered during these flights will be critical for both seeking to understand Earth's future and policymakers who rely on accurate science for decision-making. Read more ...
November 4, 2009
Clearer picture of how land-use changes affect U.S. climate
Researchers at CIRES, Purdue University and the University of Maryland say regional surface temperatures can be affected by land use, suggesting that strategies such as creating green spaces and buffer zones in and around urban areas could be a tool in addressing climate change. Read more...
October 6, 2009
Arctic Sea Ice Recovers Slightly in 2009, Remains on Downward Trend
Despite a slight recovery in summer Arctic sea ice in 2009 from record-setting low years in 2007 and 2008, the sea ice extent remains significantly below previous years and remains on a trend leading toward ice-free Arctic summers. Read more
Sept. 11, 2009
Unmanned Aircraft Buzz Over Gigantic Holes in Antarctic Sea Ice
A series of record-setting unmanned research flights are providing University of Colorado at Boulder researchers with some of the first 3-D observations of gaping holes in the Antarctic sea ice known as polynyas and the blasting winds that help form them. Read more
August 18, 2009
Scientists & Volunteers Assess Water Quality Throughout Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park turned into a giant natural laboratory Aug. 19 when researchers and scores of volunteers hiked to over 200 sites throughout the park to sample water in a comprehensive project coordinated by the University of Colorado at Boulder. Read more
CIRES' Experts featured in 'America's Climate Choices'
Experts, including Waleed Abdalati and Susan Solomon from CIRES, frame the issues in this 9 minute video from the National Academies. Launch America's Climate Choices
August 4, 2009
Power Plants Help Scientists Track Urban Pollution From Space.
In a strange twist, polluting power plants in the West are actually helping advance air quality research.
A new study used the large pollution plumes from rural Western power plants to understand satellite measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution over urban areas including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, and Phoenix. There’s good news in the data. Read more
