climate
Join the bubble chase and help study urban climate
People in Manchester will be joining in two unique science experiments to explore the urban heat island micro-climate.
Developed by the Met Office and supported by OPAL, these experiments involve blowing bubbles, seeing where they land, and recording the findings online. The results will tell us a great deal about air flows throughout the city.
The bubble chase experiments will be presented at the Futuresonic event in Manchester and everyone attending will be encouraged to take part. Futuresonic is an urban festival of art, music and new ideas and takes place 13-16 May 2009.
Get involved
Even if you don't go to Futuresonic you can still be part of the bubble blowing challenge and contribute your findings to the online map. More information, including a set of illustrated instructions are on the festival website.
Environment 2.0 Art Exhibition
From 13-23rd May the CUBE Gallery in Manchester will host a wide range of innovative artworks that highlight the environmental impact of our actions. As with other Futuresonic projects, the aim is to provoke thought and inspire action.
OPAL scientists from the Natural History Museum have collaborated with the artist Christian Nold to create a project called Biotagging - a unique collaborative portrayal of the animals and plants with which residents of Manchester share the city.
Climate Change Research Centre
How is climate change affecting our natural world?
What can we do about it?
Climate change is having a huge impact on the global ecosystem. It is arguably the most important driver of biodiversity loss - the process of animals and plants becoming extinct or disappearing from particular regions.
How will plants be affected?
We are investigating the effects of changing rainfall patterns on plant growth, species diversity and key ecosystem processes. Since the chemical make-up of the atmosphere is changing alongside climate change, we are also studying what happens when grassland ecosystems are faced with the double challenge of ozone exposure and drought.
Raise your awareness of climate change
We are organising open days, summer schools and educational outreach activities. We'd like everyone to become more aware of the connection between what we do in our own lives, the energy we consume and the environmental consequences of climate change.
Get involved
Come along to a science fun day or summer school, or visit the Climate Change Research Centre. We can also help you run activities in your own school or community, or arrange to visit you. If you are a teacher or leader of a youth or community group please contact us about setting up a talk or activities.
Visit the Air Centre website
Contact us
Emma Green: opalclimate@imperial.ac.uk
Join in the OPAL air survey
Investigate lichens on trees and find out about local air pollution.
Water survey - starts May 2010
How healthy is your local lake or pond? Identify the invertebrates that live there to find out.
The OPAL Climate Change Research Centre is led by Imperial College, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot
OPAL Climate
How might climate change affect you?
We are installing weather stations throughout London to analyse and increase awareness of current weather patterns.
Learn more and discover how you can help
Through our Climate Change Education Centre, we are promoting access to the latest climate change information and encouraging people to get involved and take action on a community level.
We are currently developing a climate change education website so you can learn more about the issues, the possible consequences and the things you can do to help.
OPAL Climate Survey
We will be co-ordinating the OPAL Climate Survey, which is open to everyone and begins in March 2011.
Contact us
helen [dot] bye [at] metoffice [dot] gov [dot] uk
OPAL Climate is led by the Met Office
OPAL Air
How does air pollution affect our natural environment?
Dr William Purvis of the Natural History Museum talks about lichens in London, past and present.
We want to raise awareness of how air pollution and climate change shape our environment and help everyone understand the global issues it raises.
OPAL Air research
Our scientists are conducting a number of research projects to investigate the impacts of climate change and air pollution. You can learn more about this work on the Air Centre and Climate Change Research Centre pages.
Air survey - now live
Help us monitor local air quality throughout England.
Dr Nathan Callaghan of the OPAL Air Centre discusses the tar spot of sycamore activity in the OPAL air survey
By recording lichens on trees and tar spot on sycamore leaves, you can help our scientists answer important questions about the impacts of local air pollution.
The OPAL air survey is the second in a series of five OPAL surveys exploring the state of our environment. Everyone can take part in this valuable research project, all you need is one of our survey packs, which can be downloaded from the air survey pages.
Discover more about lichens
Lichen guide - an online guide to the air survey indicator lichens.
British Lichen Society - A society dedicated to stimulating and advancing interest in lichenology.
British Lichens - A large collection of images of British lichens.
Contact us
opalair@imperial.ac.uk
OPAL Air is led by Imperial College, Silwood Campus, Ascot
Surveys
Help OPAL scientists with important research, learn new skills, have fun
OPAL is running five surveys across England to learn more about the state of our environment, and we’d like everyone to get involved.
Surveys exploring the health of our soils, the quality of our air and water, and the importance of hedges for biodiversity are running now - see below for details. The final survey will focus on our climate..
All ages and abilities can take part and your contribution will be important in helping scientists build up a picture of England's natural environment. We'll provide easy-to-follow survey instructions and all the support you need.
Biodiversity survey - join in now
Is your local hedge a haven for beetles, birds, mice and other wildlife? Learn more about a hedge near you and the animals it supports. Discover ways to improve it and compare your results with other hedges around the country.
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local pond or lake? The animals that live there can give important clues about the water quality. Record what you discover and contribute to valuable national research.
Air survey - join in now
Discover what lichens can tell us about air pollution. Record tar spot on sycamore leaves to learn about air quality near you.
Soil and earthworm survey - join in now
Discover more about earthworms and the soils they live in. Contribute to important scientific research and help update our national record on earthworm distribution.
Upcoming surveys
Climate survey
Starts: March 2011
Survey details to be announced. To reserve your survey pack please email opal [at] ic [dot] ac [dot] uk.