Michael B. McElroy

professor, atmospheric sciences, Harvard University

Michael B. McElroy was appointed as the Abbott Lawrence Rotch Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Harvard University in 1970. At Harvard, he served as Director of Center for Earth and Planetary Physics (1975-1978), as founding Chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (1986-2000), as Chair of the University-wide Committee on the Environment (1991-2001), as first Director of the Center for the Environment (2001-2004), and more recently as the Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Sciences in 1997. He is the author of more than 250 technical papers and several books covering topics ranging from studies of planetary atmospheres, to stratospheric ozone, to the chemistry of the troposphere, to changes in biogeochemical cycles and factors underlying both natural and human-induced changes in global climate. A recently completed book addresses the challenge posed by our need to switch to a low carbon energy future in order to meet the challenge of global climate change.