CO2 is understood to be one of the key greenhouse gases that alter the energy balance of the Earth’s surface and thus the climate in which we live in. Human activities are increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and leading to anthropogenic climate change, with potentially significant consequences, due to the central role in which human societies around the world have adapted to their respective climates.
Beginning in 2001, Jim Ehleringer, Dave Bowling, and Diane Pataki, all Department of Biology, began to put CO2 sensors into place in the Salt Lake Valley. Atmospheric scientist John Lin has expanded those efforts, and the network is providing key data on urban greenhouse gases.