Preliminary analysis concludes Pacific Northwest heat wave was a 1,000-year event…hopefully Preliminary analysis concludes Pacific Northwest heat wave was a 1,000-year event…hopefully If the preliminary results are correct, they mean that the heat wave would have been at least 150 times rarer before global warming. Read more
Low-oxygen waters off Washington, Oregon coasts risk becoming large 'dead zones' Low-oxygen waters off Washington, Oregon coasts risk becoming large 'dead zones' A large area of poorly oxygenated water is growing off the coast of Washington and Oregon. Scientists say oxygen levels may fall low enough to create "dead zones." Read more
Deforestation, warming flip part of Amazon forest from carbon sink to source Deforestation, warming flip part of Amazon forest from carbon sink to source The study area, which represents about 20 percent of the Amazon basin, has lost 30 percent of its rainforest New results from a nine-year research project in the eastern Amazon rainforest finds that significant deforestation in eastern and southeastern Brazil turned what was once a forest that absorbed carbon dioxide into a source of planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. Read more
NOAA, Chicago partner on climate plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions NOAA, Chicago partner on climate plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Chicago regional plan aims for 80 percent reduction by 2050. Read more
Earth has two different stratospheres, and aviation may be to blame Earth has two different stratospheres, and aviation may be to blame Findings suggest aircraft emissions may alter the stratosphere at mid-high latitudes Findings of a new study of aerosols in the remote atmosphere finds that the northern stratosphere is significantlly more polluted than the south. Analysis of the aerosols suggests aviation is to blame. Read more
These 5 technologies are helping save our ocean These 5 technologies are helping save our ocean Protecting and exploring our global ocean is a huge job: It covers more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface. Cutting-edge technologies help us dive deeper, gather more ocean data and solve some of its biggest challenges. Read more
Carbon dioxide peaks near 420 parts per million at Mauna Loa observatory 7Jun2021 Read more In May, NOAA's measurements at the Mauna Loa observatory averaged 419.13 parts per million. Scientists at Scripps calculated a monthly average of 418.92 ppm. It's the highest level since accurate measurements began 63 years ago. Read more
NOAA index tracks how greenhouse gas pollution amplified global warming in 2020 24May2021 Read more The annual analysis of samples collected by NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network provides an updated measure of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gas pollution. Read more
Meet 5 NOAA buoys that help scientists understand our weather, climate and ocean health 2Jun2021 Read more Keeping track of ocean health is critical for understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the health of important fisheries. But how do NOAA and partner scientists gather data on such a vast environment? Read more
NOAA, Boeing team up to test greenhouse gas-measuring technology 3Jun2021 Read more Scientists with NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory will evaluate the optimal placement of greenhouse-gas sampling inlets on a Boeing 737 flying testbed owned by Alaska Air during Boeing's 2021 ecoDemonstrator technology development program. Read more
NOAA initiatives among the first round of Ocean Decade endorsed actions 11Jun2021 Read more NOAA scientists and priorities are well reflected in several of the first Ocean Decade actions endorsed and announced this week by the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC). Documents to download NOAA Blue Carbon Inventory Project.4.21.21(.pdf, 1.09 MB) - 132 download(s) Read more