Skip to Main Content U.S. Department of Energy
Atmospheric Science and Global Change
Graphic: Lead in clouds

Our researchers are transforming the nation's ability to predict climate change and its impacts. Combining a global field observational system with advanced modeling and laboratory research, PNNL scientists improve scientific understanding of how atmospheric processes and energy technology choices affect greenhouse gas emissions and their consequences. The result: new insights that help leaders manage risks and cope with climate impacts while meeting society's energy demands.
Graphic: Carbon Emissions

Terrestrial CO2 Economically Important in Greenhouse Gas Control

According to a study by the Joint Global Change Research Institute, failing to include land use changes in policies to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could lead to massive deforestation and higher costs for limiting carbon emissions.
» More

Photo: Tony Janetos

PNNL's Tony Janetos Co-authors White House Climate Report

PNNL scientist Anthony Janetos was a key spokesperson at a White House news conference announcing the release of a major new climate change assessment on June 16, 2009
» More

Graphic: 2040s Fall Protection

Climate Study Takes Close-up Look at Washington State

A report to which Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers made major contributions is providing the scientific foundation for climate change preparation and planning in Washington State.
» More

Photo: Ice Crystals

Thawing the Mystery of Extra Ice Crystals

A team led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers has presented two processes, or explanations, for how extra ice crystals form in mixed-phase clouds—clouds containing both water and ice—which are prevalent throughout the Arctic.
» More

Photo: Earth's surface

Clouding the Issue

Over time scales spanning at least a decade, the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface has varied. These variations affect the total amount of incoming and outgoing energy in the Earth system, which, in turn, affects climate change. Scientists refer to these variations as global dimming and brightening.
» More

Photo: Dr. Beat Schmid

Beat Schmid Receives Dual Honor from DOE Office of Science

Congratulations to Dr. Beat Schmid of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory who recently was honored with two awards by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. These two awards recognize Beat's leadership contributions to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program, a DOE multi-laboratory, interagency program for global climate change research. The awards honored Beat's three-year terms as a member of the ARM Climate Research Facility Science Board and as leader of the ARM Program's Aerosol Working Group.
» More

Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change

Seminar Series

Fundamental & Computational Sciences

ASGC Research

Research Highlights

View All ASGC Highlights

RSS Feed RSS feed logo

Contacts

Content

Webmaster