Forces of Change
Atmosphere Transports

The air is never still. Stirred by the sun’s heat, air moves across the globe in vast currents. In its travels, air picks up intriguing baggage, from small amounts of gases or chemicals to particles of dust, smoke, or bacteria and other microscopic organisms.

What’s in your air? Air contains many gases, some naturally occurring, some put there by human activity. Air also carries particulates (particles, such as smoke) that you can see and smaller mist-like particles called aerosols that you can’t see. The air you breathe today might have been halfway around the world only a few days ago.

Anything that’s in the air moves with it. Atmosphere’s hitchhikers can travel thousands of miles, altering air quality and transforming life across continents.

Blowin' in the Wind Video
Click to view the "Blowin' in the Wind" Video