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Wildfire blazing behind powerlines

5 unexpected consequences of extreme heat

The climate crisis has been projected to bring changes to our world of unprecedented and unpredictable depth and range. From rising seas and stronger storms, to extreme heat and disease, we are experiencing changes that scientists have predicted for decades. But what about the unexpected consequences of extreme heat due to climate change? This summer was the hottest on record and the coolest it may ever be again. As the U.S. summer heat season finally wanes, we’ve compiled a short list of five consequences of living with extreme heat for everyone to think about as we look ahead to the 2024 heat season.

An Altius-600 uncrewed aircraft system demonstration model appears in front of an Hurricane Hunter NOAA WP-3D Orion at NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida.

NOAA flies straight into the Guinness World Records book

The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records book recognizes NOAA and industry partners with two world records: 1) wind speed recorded by an uncrewed surface vehicle; and 2) endurance inside a tropical cyclone.

A man stands at machine in a large indoor laboratory, looking at computer controls next to membranes.

New system uses seawater to capture and store CO2

“The knowledge gained from this research will inform decision makers and stakeholders regarding potential future approaches to marine carbon dioxide removal in our oceans and lakes. We will need many mitigation tools to build a climate-ready future.” 

Seen here in an archive image from June 4, 1942, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise played a pivotal role in the Battle of Midway. Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy/National Archives.

Expedition to explore near Battle of Midway sites

From September 1 to 28, 2023, Ocean Exploration Trust and partners are conducting an expedition of the largely unexplored northwestern corner of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, an area north of the main Hawaiian Islands.

CTD Deployment aboard the Go-Ship 2016

Landmark study indicates weakening of ocean carbon sink

A landmark study published last week demonstrates that the ocean’s role as a carbon sink and its ability to store anthropogenic, or human-caused, carbon may be weakening. A collaboration among international researchers led by Jens Daniel Müller, Ph.D. (ETH Zurich), this study captures a snapshot of three decades of global interior ocean measurements to determine the change in ocean storage of carbon emitted due to human activity and what it suggests about the future under a changing climate.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa, Ms Barbara Creecy, engaging with students at the SA Agulhas II Open Tour Day

GOMO supports successful International World Ocean Day celebration

From June 8-11th, roughly 1,000 high school students and 4,000 members of the public gathered to celebrate and learn about the oceans during a multi-day outreach event for World Ocean Day in Cape Town, South Africa. Visitors were exposed to life as a sea-going marine scientist through a tour of the 440 foot South African Agulhas II research vessel and were given hands-on demonstrations of the use of state-of-the-art ocean observing platforms, including Argo floats, satellite tracked drifting buoys, and buoyancy gliders (see picture below). The importance of ocean health and ocean observing capabilities was further emphasized by the commemoration of the event by South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy.

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