That's not likely, said Kerry Emanuel, a professor in atmospheric sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

CNN: Can Bill Gates stop hurricanes? Scientists doubt it

But there are those who do not share his view, and among the skeptics is Richard Lindzen, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

CNN: Global warming: A natural cycle or human result?

"There are a lot of things going on that have been very unusual over the last several months, " said Dev Niyogi, earth and atmospheric sciences professor at Purdue University.

CNN: Northwest heat endangers crops

If there aren't any organics, that may suggest there's something on the planet destroying these molecules, says James Wray, assistant professor of Earth and atmospheric sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology and collaborator on the Curiosity science team.

CNN: Rover Curiosity near Mars landing

These projects cover different fields in the Earth Sciences and support interaction with other disciplines including hydrological, ecological, oceanographic, atmospheric and biological sciences.

UNESCO: UK National Commission for UNESCO :: Earth Sciences

Dr Victoria Coker will use her For Women In Science Fellowship to support her research at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester.

UNESCO: 2011 UK and Ireland Winners

Dr Victoria Coker Dr Victoria Coker will use her For Women In Science Fellowship to support her research at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester.

UNESCO: 2011 UK and Ireland Fellows