The antarctic ozone hole has a major effect on the local climate, and the future of antarctica will go on to influence global climate and sea level changes. Modelling the atmospheric chemistry of feedback processes between stratospheric ozone and the antarctic climate will Increase the accuracy of global climate models.

An experiment to artificially stimulate plankton growth in a 50 km² test area of ocean. This led to a better understanding of the emission and absorption of gases from the ocean, and the effect this has on the climate.

Analysing ancient air trapped in ice cores for signatures of the natural carbon sinks of the past. This will show how the earth has responded to natural climate change in the past, and help predict the climate change feedback processes in the future, which may be caused by today’s carbon sinks as they respond to a warming planet.

NIWA participates in the Total Carbon Column Observing Network, a ground-based observing network dedicated to making precise and accurate measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations in different parts of the atmosphere.

Healthy Urban Atmospheres (HUA) is an 8-year air quality research Programme funded by FRST that will provide measurements and tools for a successful air quality management in New Zealand’s cities.