Boulder Laboratory to Examine Whole Earth System

Five research laboratories located in Boulder, Colorado, part of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), merge into one laboratory – the Earth System Research Laboratory – on Oct. 1, 2005.

"These changes will improve the way we conduct research, move research into operations more efficiently, and provide better services for the American people," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

The new merged laboratory will look at the entire Earth system, as reflected by its name. Building on a history of research excellence, ESRL represents a strategic repositioning of NOAA's broad climate and weather capabilities to better undertake the complex, interdisciplinary research increasingly necessary to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs in today's modern world.

The reorganization of NOAA's research enterprise is the result of a research review conducted by a team of scientists from NOAA as well as from universities and outside research organizations.

In their report, the team recommended the lab integration "for even better coordination across NOAA and OAR" in the management of research. The team also expressed their intent that the reorganization further the responsiveness of research to NOAA's operational and information service needs and enhance the visibility of the collective scientific effort in Boulder.

The new laboratory's web site can be found at www.esrl.noaa.gov.