Connecting atmospheric chemistry with clean air and a climate-ready future

Methane and carbon dioxide are central drivers of global warming. Their atmospheric concentrations have increased markedly since the industrial era, yet diverse sources and uncertain emissions make it difficult to determine how much is released and why concentrations are changing. By tracking atmospheric concentrations with satellites and in-situ observations and inferring emissions with numerical models, we test inventories, identify priority sources, and support more credible carbon accounting and mitigation decisions.

Air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change are tightly coupled. Weather and climate alter natural emissions, transport, and chemical processes, while ozone, methane, aerosols, and other atmospheric constituents influence radiation, clouds, precipitation, and ecosystems, and further affects clean energy. By using Earth system models that couple climate, chemistry, and ecosystems, our research clarifies these interactions and supports integrated responses to clean-air and climate challenges.