Tim Hilton

He seeks to understand the terrestrial biological carbon cycle at urban to continental scales using a combination of atmospheric composition observations, ecosystem–atmosphere flux observations, atmospheric and ecosystem models, and data assimilation methods. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion are a primary driver of global climate change. Because most of human daily life occurs at the urban spatial scale it is critical to understand how urban design relates to urban-scale fossil fuel emissions. This problem is difficult with current data and methods, and he is currently working to develop new trace gas data and modeling methods to address the problem. Broad research interests include modeling of geophysical phenomena and anthropogenic influences on geophysical systems.