NOAA delivers the science, data, services and solutions that help the world address the climate crisis.
An integral part of the Department of Commerce, NOAA observes and predicts our changing environment from the depths of the oceans to the surface of the sun, shares that knowledge with others, and is responsible for conserving and managing America’s coastal and marine resources, all with a focus on science, service and stewardship.
NOAA’s climate science, services and decision-making tools—everything from greenhouse gas measurements to sea level rise projections—are used in communities in the U.S. and around the world to keep people safe during extreme weather, drive business decisions for industries like agriculture and transportation, and help build infrastructure for the future.
Demand for NOAA’s information is increasing, as the world sees more frequent and more costly extreme weather and climate-related disasters. Investments in NOAA’s climate research, data, tools, and capacity-building are a key part of the United States’ whole-of-government response to the climate crisis.
NOAA is centering equity in all aspects of our work in order to produce better science, deliver better services, be better stewards of the environment and economy, and build a more inclusive workforce.
Learn about NOAA’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis at: www.climate.gov/COP26
NOAA is committed to helping the world respond to climate change through its mission of delivering climate science, service, and stewardship.
Science
Advancing the state of the science for sea-level rise. Collaborating with several U.S. agencies, NOAA will publish updated sea-level rise and extreme coastal water projections for every U.S. state and territory, filling gaps for rural and underserved regions. This data is key for advancing how we plan for coastal resilience, infrastructure and emergencies.
Enhancing the World Ocean Database. NOAA will develop and deploy a new tool within the World Ocean Database to help ocean data users easily discover and access immense volumes of globally distributed ocean information. Partnering with the International Oceanographic Commission, this investment will increase timely, high quality input for climate forecast models, as well as seasonal and longer time-scale monitoring.
Opening a Pacific Islands ocean acidification training center. NOAA and the U.S. Department of State are partnering with the South Pacific Community, the University of the South Pacific, and The Ocean Foundation to launch a new training center in Fiji to expand capacity for ocean acidification monitoring and research across the Pacific Islands. Understanding how ocean acidification affects local coral reefs and fisheries will enable better protection for the ecosystems, livelihoods, and economies they support.
Launching the NOAA Blue Carbon Inventory. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, NOAA will provide technical support to countries to incorporate coastal blue carbon into their National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (NGGI). NOAA will focus on 3-5 geographically-diverse countries, amplifying the impact of this investment through regional partnerships, interagency collaboration, and activities such as the development of guidebooks, workshops and training materials. This metric is an important way countries track progress towards achieving their climate ambitions.
Establishing a globally operational Surface Ocean CO2 Reference Network. The network will integrate established and proposed national and regional surface ocean carbon dioxide (CO2) research and monitoring efforts into a global framework, enabling countries to track changes in global ocean uptake of CO2 over time. Through international engagement, NOAA will facilitate the development of the global network and produce high-value products, such as observation-based annual updates of ocean carbon uptake and changes in ocean acidification, that are critical for decision making about ocean-based mitigation options and marine ecosystem health.
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NOAA, 1 November 2021. Report.
