GESTAR II Seminar Series, July 11 at 11:00am
Join us for a virtual seminar by Dr. Daniel Tong, George Mason University (GMU). His talk is titled "Climate Change, Dust Storms, and Social Vulnerabilities in the United States."
Date and Time: Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:00am EST
Join us via Teams.
Abstract:
"In the western United States, extreme weather events, such as dust storms and wildfires, are rising in response to climate change. Dust storms impose substantial risks to many sectors of USA society, including human health, environmental health, transportation safety and the general economy. Despite the high stakes, risks associated with dust hazards remain largely understudied and knowledge is rather fragmented. Gaps between knowledge and public awareness are costly for affected communities. This work presents recent advances in linking climate change to dust storm trends and human health and safety, including Valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis), and dust-related traffic fatalities. We will also discuss ongoing dust research at World Meteorological Organization and opportunities for international collaboration."
Biography:
Dr. Daniel Tong is Associate Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Director of Cooperative Institute of Satellite and Earth System Studies at George Mason University (GMU), Virginia, USA. He obtained his B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Finance from Ocean University of China, his PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from North Carolina State University, and his postdoctoral training in environmental policy at Princeton University. His research focuses on modeling and prediction of natural and anthropogenic emissions, and their effects on air quality, climate, and human health. Dr. Tong is a member of NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team and an affiliated scientist of NOAA National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) Team. He chairs the Global Steering Committee of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Sand and Dust Storms Warning Advisory and Assessment System, and is the founding Co-Director of WMO Vegetation Fire Smoke Pollution North America Center. He is the President-Elect of American Geophysical Union (AGU) GeoHealth Section and a co-founder of the Dust Alliance for North America (DANA).
For more information on the GESTAR II Seminar Series, click here.