Aug 20, 2020

February lockdown in China caused a drop in some types of air pollution, but not others

Pollution over Shanghai, China in October 2019.

Atmospheric scientists have analyzed how the February near-total shutdown of mobility affected the air over China. Results show a striking drop in nitrogen oxides, a gas that comes mainly from tailpipes and is one component of smog. Learning how behavior shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic affect air quality is of immediate importance, since the virus attacks human lungs. The event is also a way for Earth scientists to study how the atmosphere responds to sudden changes in emissions.

UW Environment announces 2020-2021 dean’s office scholarship recipients

The College of the Environment is pleased to announce the following undergraduate and graduate scholarships awarded for 2020-21: Del Rio Endowed Environmental Studies Scholarship The Del Rio Family Foundation established the Del Rio Endowed Scholarship Fund for Environmental Studies to encourage and support students with an interest in the environment who are participating in the Educational Opportunity Program. The Program promotes academic success and graduation for under-represented ethnic minority, economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students at the University of Washington.

Pristine air over Southern Ocean suggests early industrial era’s clouds not so different from today’s

Isabel McCoy directing cloud sampling while serving as a flight scientist during the 2018 SOCRATES campaign.

A new study uses satellite data over the Southern Hemisphere to understand the makeup of global clouds since the Industrial Revolution. This research tackles one of the largest uncertainties in today’s climate models — the long-term effect of tiny atmospheric particles on climate change. Research led by the University of Washington and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom uses remote, pristine parts of the Southern Hemisphere as a window into the early-industrial atmosphere.

UW School of Oceanography holds No. 1 global ranking; Atmospheric Sciences at No. 2

UW Oceanography ranked No. 1 in global ranking

Nine UW subjects ranked in the top 10 and the UW School of Oceanography held its position as No. 1 in the world on the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Zoom graduation the UW Environment way

How can we make a virtual graduation feel just as special, just as celebratory and honor achievement just as well as an in-person celebration on campus? Units within the College of the Environment are working hard to carefully plan ceremonies to honor the Class of 2020 in a memorable way that emulates the pomp and circumstance graduates enjoy when they walk across the big stage while being cheered on by family, friends and loved ones.