DIRECTOR
Ronald G. Prinn | 617 253 4902 | cgcs@mit.edu
The Center for Global Change Science (CGCS) seeks to better understand the natural mechanisms in ocean, atmosphere, and land systems that together control the Earth’s climate, and to apply improved knowledge to problems of predicting climate changes. Building on existing programs of research and education in the Schools of Science and Engineering, the Center utilizes theory, observations, and numerical models to investigate climate phenomena, the linkages among them, and their potential feedbacks in a changing climate. The interdisciplinary organization fosters studies on topics as varied as oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry, ecology, biogeochemical cycling, paleoclimatology, applied math, data assimilation, computer science, and satellite remote sensing.
Parallel CGCS activities incorporate the insight gained from research into climate prediction models and climate policy analysis, and provide it in a useful way to decision-makers in domestic and international climate policy-making arenas. The CGCS also interacts closely with complimentary MIT activities in the Earth System Initiative, the Energy Initiative, and the Earth Resources Laboratory.