Scientists recommend a system of checkpoints to help guide climate engineering research Scientists recommend a system of checkpoints to help guide climate engineering research As research into engineering techniques that might one day be employed to artificially cool the planet advances, some scientists are calling for adoption of an oversight framework to guide what to study... and when to stop. Read more
Ocean Exploration education grants to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion announced Ocean Exploration education grants to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion announced NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation have awarded seven education grants to help engage and inspire the next generation of ocean explorers by supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI&A) efforts related to ocean literacy, stewardship, and workforce development. Read more
Air pollution from wildfires, rising heat affected two-thirds of U.S. West Air pollution from wildfires, rising heat affected two-thirds of U.S. West Large wildfires and severe heat events are happening more often at the same time, worsening air pollution across the western United States, according to a new study led by Washington State University, with CIRES and NOAA’s Global Systems Laboratory. Read more
Environmental DNA sampling gets an upgrade with new open-source technology Environmental DNA sampling gets an upgrade with new open-source technology Scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) have engineered a new instrument that will provide valuable information about the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Read more
Smoke from wildfires influences ozone pollution on a global scale Smoke from wildfires influences ozone pollution on a global scale New NOAA analysis of a ground-breaking global atmospheric airborne research mission shows that smoke from biomass burning substantially contributes to one of the most common and harmful constituents of urban air pollution: ozone. Read more
Wet, then dry extremes contributed to devastating Marshall Fire in Colorado Wet, then dry extremes contributed to devastating Marshall Fire in Colorado On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire ripped through suburban neighborhoods on the west side of the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Spread by high winds and fueled by dry conditions, the wildfire destroyed more than 1,000 homes, according to news reports. Read more
Study: Reducing human-caused air pollution in North America & Europe brings surprise result: more hurricanes 11May2022 Read more A new NOAA study published today in the journal Science Advances about four decades of tropical cyclones reveals the surprising result that reducing particulate air pollution in Europe and North America has contributed to an increase in the number of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic basin and a decrease in the number of these storms in the Southern Hemisphere. The study also found that the growth of particulate pollution in Asia has contributed to fewer tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific basin. Read more
NOAA report highlights 2021 climate, weather, ocean research 28Mar2022 Read more The newly released 2021 NOAA Science Report includes more than 60 stories that represent a selection of NOAA’s 2021 research and development accomplishments across the range of NOAA’s mission. Read more
Study previews how climate change may alter rain-making atmospheric rivers by 2100 24Mar2022 Read more A new NOAA modeling study suggests climate change is likely to disrupt Pacific atmospheric rivers, which are important sources of snow and rain for west coast states. Read more
NOAA’s observations help EPA track emissions of a family of greenhouse gases 22Apr2022 Read more NOAA atmospheric measurements are helping to support a national inventory of emissions from an important family of greenhouse gases. Read more
Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring 23Feb2022 Read more High background levels of ozone pollution make it hard for Las Vegas and other southwestern cities to meet US air quality standards in spring, two NOAA studies find. But local pollution sources drive summer's high ozone days. Read more