Creating climate solutions requires connections, partnerships and cross-disciplinary approaches. At Boulder, we lead across all fields of climate research: adaptation and innovation, policy, natural hazards, human impacts, and climate science.Stay up to date on our groundbreaking research and technological advancements.

Group of researchers and tents on ice in Greenland

International team probes ice sheet-atmosphere system

May 22, 2024

An engineer, a graduate student and three research scientists are in Greenland braving extreme cold and blustery winds as they install 25 instruments to observe changes in the ice sheet-atmosphere system during the summer melt season.

Primate with large, brown eyes and big ears in the branches of a tree at night

In South Africa, tiny primates could struggle to adapt to climate change

May 7, 2024

Researchers led by Boulder primatologist Michelle Sauther walked the paths of the Lajuma Research Centre in South Africa at night, keeping an eye out for the glowing eyes of galago primates, or bushbabies. The team's findings reveal troubling hints about how small animals may adapt to extreme temperatures.

Researchers taking photos in Antarctica

Ice shelves fracture under weight of meltwater lakes

May 6, 2024

For the first time in the field, CIRES-led research shows that ice shelves don’t just buckle under the weight of meltwater lakes—they fracture.

Colorado River

Precipitation may brighten Colorado River’s future

May 3, 2024

The Colorado River’s future may be a little brighter than expected, according to a new modeling study from CIRES researchers. Warming temperatures have raised doubts the river could recover. But the new study paints a fuller picture.

Photomontage of the evolution of a tornado

What’s with the wild tornadoes? Expert weighs in

May 3, 2024

In the past few weeks, multiple tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the central and southern U.S. Atmospheric scientist Andrew Winters says more may be on the way and offers tips to stay safe.

Iron oxides stain the bed of Upper East Mancos River in southwestern Colorado

Warming climate is putting more metals into Colorado’s mountain streams

April 25, 2024

Warming temperatures are causing a steady rise in copper, zinc and sulfate in the waters of Colorado mountain streams affected by acid rock drainage. Concentrations of these metals have roughly doubled over the past 30 years, a new study finds, presenting a concern for ecosystems, downstream water quality and mining remediation.

Offshore wind farm off the U.K. coast

How much energy can offshore wind farms in the US produce? New study sheds light

April 25, 2024

Proposed wind farms off the East Coast could meet 60% of the electricity demand of New England, even considering the wake effects, a new study shows.

Emily King Kinsey in front of Boulder Flatirons

Is communication around climate change just hot air?

April 22, 2024

A researcher’s experience in advertising, marketing and public relations gives her a unique angle to study organizational communications and policy around climate impact and awareness.

Composite photo of Ramaley building in 2017 and 1970s

Why the first Earth Day went viral (pre-social media)

April 19, 2024

If you were at Boulder in April 1970, you were likely aware―very aware―of the first Earth Day. Two Boulder professors explain Earth Day’s history, impact, what it’s become and if it’s still relevant.

Onlookers observe a giant glowing globe at Fiske Planetarium

Earth Day: 7 ways Boulder researchers are driving change

April 18, 2024

April 22 is Earth Day, and this year's theme is “Planet vs. Plastics.” Read about seven exciting research projects at Boulder as you ponder the importance of Earth Day.

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