On 28 October 2026, the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) hosted a Public Lecture titled "Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Around the World", delivered by Prof. Donald R. BLAKE, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. The seminar, moderated by Prof. GUO Hai, Chair Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Management Committee member of RILS, attracted a diverse audience at Chiang Chen Studio Theatre and explored the critical role of VOCs in urban air quality, climate change, and global pollution.
Prof. Blake shared his pioneering research on atmospheric composition, emphasising the use of high-precision gas chromatography to monitor VOCs—key contributors to air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and the Earth’s energy balance. He highlighted major projects from the past five decades, including global monitoring of greenhouse gases, regional air quality studies in polluted cities, and localised investigations such as the Aliso Canyon methane blowout. Additionally, he discussed his collaborative efforts with the University of California Office of the President to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2025, underscoring the real-world impact of his work.
The engaging session sparked discussions on the intersection of atmospheric chemistry, environmental policy and sustainable development, reinforcing RILS’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research. We extend our gratitude to Prof. Blake for his enlightening presentation and to all participants for their active engagement.
| Research Units | Research Institute for Land and Space |
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