CIRES News & Events

2009 Ice Melt Comparison to Average

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 ...

 


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...


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...


Arctic Sea Ice Recovers Slightly in 2009, Remains on Downward Trend

2009 Ice Melt Comparison to AverageDespite 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

Unmanned Aircraft Buzz Over Gigantic Holes in Antarctic Sea Ice

Ross Sea PolynyaA 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


Scientists & Volunteers Assess Water Quality Throughout Rocky Mountain National Park

Volunteer in Rocky Mountain ParkRocky 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

 

Waleed Abdalati

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

Industrial Smoke Stack
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