Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

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