Collaboration between Rutgers University, NASA, and other institutions outlines an integrated approach to greenhouse gas and wind measurements

A study published by the W.M. Keck Institute for Space Studies in collaboration with Rutgers University, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the California Institute of Technology provides a roadmap for leveraging global trace gas and atmospheric wind observations to improve monitoring, attribution, and mitigation of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

The report is Tracking greenhouse gases: A blueprint for a joint meteorology and atmospheric composition programhighlight that the rapid increase in trace gas observations from satellites, aircraft, and surface sensors presents an opportunity to improve air quality assessments and surface temperature prospects. However, the researchers said the true value of these observations depends on the ability to accurately interpret them.

A key finding is that a better understanding of the vertical movement of air in the atmosphere is essential to convert trace gas measurements into actionable insights. This challenge requires close collaboration between scientific communities that have traditionally worked separately.

“The complexity of air movement and atmospheric composition has fostered two relatively separate research communities,” he said. Mary Whelanan associate professor in the Rutgers University School of Environmental Sciences and one of the study’s three lead authors. “You can be more effective by putting them together in a thoughtful way.”

The study resulted from a five-day workshop held in early October 2024. “Building Community Consensus for Integrated Greenhouse Gas and Wind Programs” The workshop, hosted by the Keck Institute in Pasadena, California, was led by Whelan, Nick Palazou of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Paul Wennberg of the California Institute of Technology.

The effort brought together leading experts in surface-atmosphere exchange science, which investigates how much carbon is emitted and absorbed at Earth’s surface, as well as experts in meteorology, space-based remote sensing, and atmospheric modeling, reflecting broad involvement across academia, federal laboratories, and research institutions.

“This study, which brought together 29 participants representing 20 organizations from four countries, exemplifies the Keck Institute’s mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and advance an integrated space-based approach to greenhouse gas monitoring,” said Harriet Buttle, executive director of the Keck Institute.

Whelan noted that this publication is a step forward in aligning space-based atmospheric science with society’s needs for reliable and transparent greenhouse gas monitoring and verification. By proposing integrated greenhouse gas and wind programs, this report lays the foundation for future mission concepts, shared community platforms, and policy-related tools that can support climate action around the world.

“An integrated greenhouse gas and wind power program targeting multiscale carbon management needs would be timely as NASA begins the process for its next decade of research,” Palazou said.

The Earth Science Decadal Survey is a report published every 10 years by the National Academies. Outlines the most important research priorities in the Earth sciences, particularly those that use satellites and other space-based tools to observe and understand the Earth.

As the global demand for high-fidelity emissions data increases, this blueprint is positioned to help the research community bridge critical gaps between atmospheric measurements, transport modeling, and actionable information on emissions and sinks.

“I think one of the interesting things that came out of the workshop was the idea of ​​a coordinated research program that would integrate data across both existing missions and potential future missions,” Wennberg said. “We expect the next decade to be less focused on advancing individual missions, but rather on tackling important issues.”

To accelerate progress, researchers are proposing closer integration between those who study how air moves and those who study what that air is made of. The common goal of this multi-agency effort is to translate observations into actions that support effective climate mitigation strategies and informed decision-making.