The CCC's Global Climate Model is one of the most advanced of its kind in the world. But no model, however sophisticated, can run without the weather and climate data provided from a national network of observations. Environment Canada's network includes thousands of volunteer weather observers. A collaborative research network of government, private sector and university scientists across the country is also at work on projects that will help improve predictions of the timing, extent and regional characteristics of climate change. The computer can't do it all, though.
Clouds are one of the greatest areas of uncertainty in climate change science.
They both reflect and absorb solar and terrestrial radiation. For that reason, Environment Canada scientists recently spent five weeks in and around the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine studying clouds and air pollution. The project is called RACE - Radiation, Aerosol and Cloud Experiment, and its results will help in understanding the cloud mystery.