March 7, 2016 at 17:00

Theresianum 0606, Technische Universität München (Entrance from Theresienstraße)

Receptions at 16:30 and after the presentation (Refreshments will be served)

Abstract:Concentrations of atmospheric methane have more than tripled since pre-industrial times, arguablythe largest global change in atmospheric composition caused by human beings. This talk reviewsthe evidence for this change, and examines the implications for atmospheric chemistry andclimate. Data from polar ice cores show that methane concentrations were low during glacial periods(~400 parts per billion) and high during interglacial intervals (600-700 parts per billion). Increasesbeyond values form recent earth history began in the 18th century, leveled off abruptlybetween 1990 and 2005, and then started to rise sharply again. We examine some current researchinto the processes responsible for human-related emissions of methane to the atmosphere:changes in Arctic soils, agriculture, and natural gas infrastructure. Bio:Prof. Wofsy is the Abbott Lawrence Rotch Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistryat Harvard University, and has served as Area Dean of Environmental Science and Engineeringuntil 2015 and Associate Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard. He is a member of theNational Academy of Science, and was awarded NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, James B.Macelwane Medal and Roger Revelle Medal by the American Geophysical Union. He is author ofmore than 300 publications, and was a lead author of the Fourth Assessment Report of the IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change (IPCC). Further info: Invitation_Talk_Wofsy_Harvard_highRes.pdf