Life on Earth
Planet Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago. The first signs of life began about 3.6 billion years ago, in the ocean. The water in the ocean protected organisms living there from the dangerous rays of the sun.
Climate Change
The Earth's climate is always changing. It shifts through a regular cycle of temperatures. These cycles last around 100,000 years. They move the Earth through warm periods, then cold ones. This is known as climate oscillation.
Atmosphere
Life on Earth
How are living things connected? What do they need to survive? Can we find clues in the Solar System that help us find out why there is life on Earth?
Teresa Anderson
Early Life
Teresa grew up as a hard-working and determined student. She gained a degree in physics and a masters in instrumentation and analytical science. In her class of 200, she was one of only six women studying physics. Her interests moved towards using science to overcome global challenges, especially protecting the environment and sustainability. Teresa went on to do a PhD in electrical engineering. The focus of her research was hydro power in Nepal. She then worked for a charity using technology to tackle poverty in developing countries.
Year born: 1962
Research Areas: Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Public Engagement
Julia Slingo
Early Life
Julia was born in Warwickshire, UK. Her parents were both teachers. She studied Physics at university and has a BSc and PhD from the University of Bristol.
Year born: 1950
Research Areas: Weather Forecasting, Tropical Climates
"I just like understanding how things work that I can see in the real world"
Piers Sellers
Early Life
Piers Sellers grew up in Sussex, UK. He watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing when he was 13 and decided he wanted to be an astronaut. He volunteered as a Royal Air Force cadet during school and learned to pilot planes and gliders. Piers studied Ecological Science (the interaction between nature and organisms) at the University of Edinburgh and went on to get a PhD in Meteorology (studying the atmosphere and weather) from the University of Leeds.
Year born: 1955
Research Areas: Climate Science
"to make the changes that we need to make and to reach a safer future, we need the resources of everybody"
Nature
Earth science is the study of what our planet is made of, how it has changed over time and how its systems interact, including the oceans and its magnetic field. Geochemists can apply their skills and knowledge to study the chemistry of meteorites and other samples of space rock (cosmochemistry) as well as using telescopes to study the chemistry of material in space (astrochemistry). Atmospheric science is the scientific and mathematical study of the Earth's atmosphere, climate, and weather.