Masterclass | The Role of Aerosols in Capturing European Extremes
LOCATION
Aerosols, tiny particles and liquid droplets, can have natural sources, such as deserts and volcanic eruptions, or be emitted by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. They are crucial for the formation of clouds, but the poor air quality associated with high aerosol concentrations is a large environmental health threat. Increasing atmospheric aerosols from human sources have offset around 0.4 ºC of the global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations over the industrial era. However, their short atmospheric lifetime means aerosol composition and amounts vary dramatically between regions, and that their climate impacts are distinct from those due to greenhouse gas increases. Although it plays an important role in climate and climate change, anthropogenic aerosol represents the largest uncertainty in human-caused climate change, and their complex effects are often omitted from the tools used to inform policymakers. In this session, we will explore the different ways in which aerosols can affect climate, how they are represented in climate models, and the role they have played in key climate changes over the last century. We will also examine the impact of including a representation of aerosols in regional climate models, and look at some of the climate impacts that may result from the introduction of more stringent air quality policies worldwide.
Speakers
Laura Wilcox, NCAS
Laura Wilcox is an Associate Professor of aerosol-climate interactions in the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading. Her research focusses on the regional climate responses to recent and near-future aerosol changes, and she is particularly interested in how emission changes in one region cause climate responses in another. She is the chair of the Regional Aerosol Model Intercomparison Project, and a contributing author to the IPCC sixth Assessment Report.
Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.
Registration for this event is available to attend virtually only.
Members
If you are a member of the Society and have an account already, please log in to your account before your register. If you are a member and don’t have an account set up already, you will need to create an account. Your username is the email address that is linked to your membership.
Non-Members
If you are not a member of the Society you will need to create an account in order to register for events.
Once you have created an account, you will be required to log in each time you would like to register for an event. You will also have access to a Dashboard area that will show which events you have registered for and past events you have attended.
Any information you provide to us will only be used by The Royal Meteorological Society and appointed representatives.
This meeting is part of the Royal Meteorological Society Meetings programme, open to all, from expert to enthusiast, for topical discussions on the latest advances in weather and climate. Free to attend. Non-members are welcome.
A copy of our terms and conditions can be found here.
If you have any queries with regards to this event or require any further information please contact us at meetings@rmets.org.
Notice of audio / video recording of RMetS Meetings and Events - By attending this meeting, you are agreeing to be part of the Society’s broadcast. Please could audience members refrain from giving their name and institution during questions at ALL Society (National, Local and SIG) meetings that are being recorded or streamed. Videoing will be restricted to speakers.
The RMetS strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you would like to discuss accessibility or request accommodations please contact conferences@rmets.org.
We take data privacy seriously. Please read the RMetS privacy policy to find out more.
Masterclass Series Abstract
Continuing its online Meteorological Masterclasses in partnership with the University of Reading, the Society is pleased to announce a new series for Spring 2025.
During this series, three leading experts from the University of Reading will discuss the latest scientific advances for understanding and predicting weather, climate, and its impacts.
These masterclasses are intended to provide support for professionals working in Meteorology and Climate Science, and its operational applications who wish to remain up to date on recent scientific developments in the field.
Aerosols, tiny particles and liquid droplets, can have natural sources, such as deserts and volcanic eruptions, or be emitted by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. They are crucial for the formation of clouds, but the poor air quality associated with high aerosol concentrations is a large environmental health threat. Increasing atmospheric aerosols from human sources have offset around 0.4 ºC of the global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations over the industrial era. However, their short atmospheric lifetime means aerosol composition and amounts vary dramatically between regions, and that their climate impacts are distinct from those due to greenhouse gas increases. Although it plays an important role in climate and climate change, anthropogenic aerosol represents the largest uncertainty in human-caused climate change, and their complex effects are often omitted from the tools used to inform policymakers. In this session, we will explore the different ways in which aerosols can affect climate, how they are represented in climate models, and the role they have played in key climate changes over the last century. We will also examine the impact of including a representation of aerosols in regional climate models, and look at some of the climate impacts that may result from the introduction of more stringent air quality policies worldwide.
Speakers
Laura Wilcox, NCAS
Laura Wilcox is an Associate Professor of aerosol-climate interactions in the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading. Her research focusses on the regional climate responses to recent and near-future aerosol changes, and she is particularly interested in how emission changes in one region cause climate responses in another. She is the chair of the Regional Aerosol Model Intercomparison Project, and a contributing author to the IPCC sixth Assessment Report.
Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.
Registration for this event is available to attend virtually only.
Members
If you are a member of the Society and have an account already, please log in to your account before your register. If you are a member and don’t have an account set up already, you will need to create an account. Your username is the email address that is linked to your membership.
Non-Members
If you are not a member of the Society you will need to create an account in order to register for events.
Once you have created an account, you will be required to log in each time you would like to register for an event. You will also have access to a Dashboard area that will show which events you have registered for and past events you have attended.
Any information you provide to us will only be used by The Royal Meteorological Society and appointed representatives.
This meeting is part of the Royal Meteorological Society Meetings programme, open to all, from expert to enthusiast, for topical discussions on the latest advances in weather and climate. Free to attend. Non-members are welcome.
A copy of our terms and conditions can be found here.
If you have any queries with regards to this event or require any further information please contact us at meetings@rmets.org.
Notice of audio / video recording of RMetS Meetings and Events - By attending this meeting, you are agreeing to be part of the Society’s broadcast. Please could audience members refrain from giving their name and institution during questions at ALL Society (National, Local and SIG) meetings that are being recorded or streamed. Videoing will be restricted to speakers.
The RMetS strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you would like to discuss accessibility or request accommodations please contact conferences@rmets.org.
We take data privacy seriously. Please read the RMetS privacy policy to find out more.
Masterclass Series Abstract
Continuing its online Meteorological Masterclasses in partnership with the University of Reading, the Society is pleased to announce a new series for Spring 2025.
During this series, three leading experts from the University of Reading will discuss the latest scientific advances for understanding and predicting weather, climate, and its impacts.
These masterclasses are intended to provide support for professionals working in Meteorology and Climate Science, and its operational applications who wish to remain up to date on recent scientific developments in the field.
