Ability to predict weather and climate on a range of time scales has large economic benefits to agriculture, water resources, and industry. Air pollution is a continuing threat to health and in the longer term leads to man-made climate change. Regulation and control of emissions to the atmosphere is clearly regarded as necessary in the developed countries. These regulations govern long term investment plans for many industries, with major commercial implications. Objective and credible scientific underpinning of the regulation process is of the highest economic priority.
Atmospheric research underpins the activities and needs of a wide range of users.
In addition, atmospheric science is a vital component of interdisciplinary research which addresses impacts of climate change on resources and health. Atmospheric science is a rich and challenging field which offers mathematicians and physical scientists opportunities to develop their analytical and interpretative skills to the highest level. Even though the community is small, UK atmospheric science is of high international quality. However, there is a shortage of high calibre entrants at the graduate and postdoctoral level which reflects a lack of awareness of the quality of the science challenge and of the wider employment value of the skills acquired through atmospheric science research. To understand the fundamentals of atmospheric processes together with relevant aspects of the underpinning chemistry, mathematics and physics.