A key societal concern, climate change affects habitats for wildlife and humans, including oceans, rivers, forests, grasslands, deserts, and mountains. It also alters air quality, including how much greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere. Scientists use a variety of tools to understand these complex relationships, including collecting data over long periods of time to identify trends and anomalies. They then incorporate these findings into computer models to understand the impacts on ecosystems, human communities, and what can be done to limit damaging climatic shifts.
PNNL scientists conduct diverse climate research, from studying ice cores to developing cutting-edge models on supercomputers, to assessing the impact of carbon dioxide and other pollutants on our planet’s atmosphere. Ultimately, these studies give us clues about how a changing Earth may evolve in the future.
Climate science provides crucial information for international policy-making, with findings from scientific assessments such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Fourth National Climate Assessment influencing countries’ willingness to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or invest in sustainable technologies. Scientists, including those at PNNL, also play a critical role in communicating the impact of rising temperatures on humans and natural ecosystems, so that society can prepare for the consequences and take action.
Because of the high stakes and political implications, climate researchers face a unique set of challenges—including the occasional threat of death or harassment. Nevertheless, their work is vital to a safe and healthy future.