Ideas worth spreading

The science behind a climate headline

1,228,046 views | Rachel Pike • TEDGlobal 2009

In 4 minutes, atmospheric chemist Rachel Pike provides a glimpse of the massive scientific effort behind the bold headlines on climate change, with her team -- one of thousands who contributed -- taking a risky flight over the rainforest in pursuit of data on a key molecule.

In 4 minutes, atmospheric chemist Rachel Pike provides a glimpse of the massive scientific effort behind the bold headlines on climate change, with her team -- one of thousands who contributed -- taking a risky flight over the rainforest in pursuit of data on a key molecule.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Atmospheric chemist

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Rachel Pike studies climate change at the molecular level -- tracking how emissions from biofuel crops react with the air to shape weather trends globally.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.