Study shows why eastern U.S. air pollution levels are more stagnant in winter

Particulate haze over eastern Pennsylvania in winter, as seen from the WINTER campaign aircraft.

The air in the United States is much cleaner than even a decade ago. But those improvements have come mainly in summer, the season that used to be the poster child for haze-containing particles that cause asthma, lung cancer and other illnesses. A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by the University of Washington explains why winter air pollution levels have remained high, despite overall lower levels of harmful emissions from power plants and vehicles throughout the year. 

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Aquatic and Fishery Sciences' Daniel Schindler elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences

Aquatic and Fishery Sciences' Daniel Schindler.

Daniel Schindler, a professor at the College of the Environment’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, is one of 14 UW scientists elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2018. According to a statement released by the organization, the new members were selected for “their outstanding record of scientific achievement and willingness to work on behalf of the academy in bringing the best available science to bear on issues within the state of Washington.” 

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UW Oceanography ranks No. 1 in Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

University of Washington's School of Oceanography ranks No. 1 globally.

The University of Washington’s School of Oceanography is ranked No. 1 in the world on the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects list for 2018. The ranking, released this week, was conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The group ranked more than 4,000 universities around the world in 52 subjects across natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences. 

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As Atlantic Ocean circulation shifts gears, global warming will reaccelerate

Ocean Wave

A huge circulation pattern in the Atlantic Ocean took a starring role in the 2004 movie, “The Day After Tomorrow.” In that fictional tale, the global oceanic current suddenly stops and New York City freezes over. While many aspects of the movie are unrealistic, oceanographers are concerned about the long-term stability of Atlantic Ocean circulation, and previous studies show that it has slowed dramatically in the past decade. 

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Russell Callender named director of Washington Sea Grant

Russell Callender, director of Washington Sea Grant effective September 2018.

UW’s College of the Environment is pleased to announce that Dr. W. Russell Callender has been named the director of Washington Sea Grant and will join UW Environment’s ranks in September 2018. As a result of the Advisory Search Committee’s deeply consultative process led by Amy Snover, Russell emerged as the best person to lead Washington Sea Grant. Russell is a committed champion for coastal science and conservation and brings more than 25 years of experience in science, policy and management to the director position — including several years as the assistant director of the Virginia Sea Grant Program. 

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