Climate, snow, and society.
I am a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire in the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space. I use climate models, remote sensing, surface observations and citizen science to better understand changes in climate and impacts on society. My interdisciplinary research centers around the interactions among climate, land use, and society in the Northeastern United States. I was previously a Visiting Scientist and Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of New Hampshire in the Terrestrial Ecosystem Analysis Lab.
Specifically, my research has focused on how changes in land cover (i.e. deforestation) influence surface temperature and fluxes of energy and water. I also work on interdisciplinary projects with economists to understand how decreases in snow affect the multi-billion dollar winter sports industry and how we might place economic value on albedo as an climate regulating ecosystem service.
Beyond science, I spend most of my spare time with my son Cory and my husband Nick, also a scientist. I enjoy a good old fashioned footrace (5k, 10k, half marathon, trail half) and have been known to fundraise for awesome organizations like MiracleFeet. In a former life I was a sailor-scientist with the Sea Education Association. I also love to bake and split board in the backcountry. I will play cribbage with anyone, anytime.
Kahiltna Glacier, Denali National Park, Alaska. 2013. Photo by Erich Osterberg.
Im a Geography student in Nigeria, we study climate with focus on the tropics. I’d like you to be my go to person for all things temperate
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Sure! I’d love to hear more about your work in the tropics. Nice to e-meet you 🙂
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Thanks a lot. Sorry for the late reply, its been a crazy week
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Hey Elizabeth! I’m extremely inspired by your work with POW and NRDC and your study done in 2012. I’m currently using your study to make a presentation about how climate is affecting snow sports in New England, at Keene State. I have serious visions that i’m passionate about for how we can use the snow sports community to educated about climate change. If you have anytime at all, I would love to get in touch with you.
Best,
Timothy Panella
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Hi Tim! Great to hear from you and thanks for your interest in my research. You can send an email to elizabeth dot burakowski at unh dot edu.
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What was it like to work in Old Town ME and did you enjoy the stay?
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It was beautiful! We had a great time in the forest.
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We’re happy to introduce Dr. Elizabeth Burakowski, coming to ESAW from the University of New Hampshire’s Earth Systems Research Center and Institute for the study of Earth, Oceans, and Space. She will enlighten us on one of her primary projects, Citizen Science Snow Observations. Dr. Burakowski is a climate scientist who uses climate modeling, remote sensing, and ground observations to investigate the interactions among land cover, land use, climate, and society. Accordingly, Liz will also help us understand regional impacts of climate change. An avid snow sports enthusiast herself, another of her research interests is the effect of warmer winters on winter tourism and the ski industry. We hope you’re as excited as we are to learn from Liz this Saturday at the Eastern Snow and Avalanche Workshop!
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Hi Elizabeth!
I’m a 16 year old student from the United Kingdom and I am working towards a project called the Extended Project Qualification. I have a passion for human geography and am also a skiier, so I have decided to base my project on how climate change will impact on the snow-sports industry/tourism. I have watched your Ted-Talks and have found them very useful as part of my research. I would love to know if you have any articles that you think I should read to better my understanding on the topic or if you could even share with me some of the knowledge you have on the area I would be incredibly grateful! Thank you so much for your time.
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Hello Eleanor and thank you for contacting me! I recommend reading through our 2018 Protect Our Winters report: https://protectourwinters.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/POW-2018-economic-report.pdf.
There’s also a great program in Europe called PROSNOW that might be of interest:
http://prosnow.org/
Dr. Daniel Scott at University of Waterloo has an informative report on the future of Winter Olympic Venues summarized here:
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/climate-change-threatens-future-winter-olympics
Wonderful to hear about your interest in this topic and wishing you well!
Dr. B.
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