How Will Climate Change, New Technologies, and Shifting Trade Patterns Affect Global Shipping?

Posted Tue, 04/06/2021 - 14:13
This is a guest post by University of Washington graduate students Megan Desillier, Seth Sivinski, and Nicole White.

This week, we’re sharing some of the ways NOAA monitors and predicts, responds to, and prepares for the impacts of climate change. In this flashback guest blog from our partners at the University of Washington, learn more about how the opening up of a new trade route in the Arctic brings with it new risks. 

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A Sense of Urgency in the Bering Sea

Posted Mon, 04/05/2021 - 14:29
By Davin Holen, Alaska Sea Grant, University of Alaska Fairbanks

This week, we’re sharing some of the ways NOAA monitors and predicts, responds to, and prepares for the impacts of climate change. In this guest blog, Alaska Sea Grant is a coastal community resilience specialist Davin Holen writes about the impacts climate change has on native communities in Alaska.

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Living Shorelines: A Sound Investment

Posted Thu, 04/01/2021 - 14:09
By Daniel Hayden, Restore America’s Estuaries

Over the next two weeks, we’re sharing some of the ways NOAA monitors and predicts, responds to, and prepares for the impacts of climate change. In this guest blog from Restore America's Estuaries President and CEO Daniel Hayden, learn more about how living shorelines can be used to help protect against the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

How NOAA Supports Post-Storm Coral Restoration
By Alyssa Gray, Office of Response and Restoration
alyssa.gray Thu, 04/01/2021 - 12:56

As the Earth’s atmosphere and ocean continue to warm under the global threat of climate change, the future of coral reefs looks bleaker than ever before. With rising temperatures comes an increase in mass coral bleaching events, infectious disease outbreaks, and the process known as ocean acidification. Climate change not only affects the overall health of corals, it also impacts their resiliency. Changes to the frequency and intensity of tropical storms — another side effect of climate change — lead to storm seasons that do a massive amount of damage to coral reefs.

The Spills that Never Happened Thanks to Double Hulls

Posted Fri, 03/26/2021 - 13:44
By Doug Helton, Office of Response and Restoration

When it comes to marine pollution, often it’s the bad news that makes the headlines. But for every newsworthy incident, there’s another story about the spills and other incidents that didn’t happen thanks to preventative measures and policies, and the responders who think quickly on their feet. In this new blog series, we’re shining a spotlight on the “good news” stories. 

Incident Responses for February 2021

Posted Fri, 03/12/2021 - 16:36

Every month our Emergency Response Division provides scientific expertise and services to the U.S. Coast Guard on everything from running oil spill trajectories to model where the spill may spread, to possible effects on wildlife and fisheries and estimates on how long the oil may stay in the environment.

This month OR&R responded to 19 incidents, including oil discharges, grounded vessels, and other pollution-related incidents. Here are some of February's notable incidents ... 

Minds Behind OR&R: Meet Regional Resource Coordinator Ken Finkelstein
By Megan Ewald, Office of Response and Restoration
alyssa.gray Tue, 03/09/2021 - 14:50

This feature is part of a monthly series profiling scientists and technicians who provide exemplary contributions to the mission of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R). In our latest "Minds Behind OR&R," we feature Regional Resource Coordinator Ken Finkelstein.

Tornado Preparedness: How to Stay Safe When Tornadoes Threaten
By Katherine Krushinski, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration Disaster Preparedness Program; and Jason Beaman, NOAA National Weather Service
alyssa.gray Fri, 03/05/2021 - 13:13

During Severe Weather Preparedness Week we are reminded that weather-related disasters can occur in every area of the United States. Due to geographical features and other aspects, some regions are more prone to certain disasters than others. Recently, one of our southern most states, Texas, was hit with a widespread winter storm and record breaking arctic outbreak that knocked out power and water—making it difficult for people to stay safe. But as we’ve seen, winter weather can impact any portion of our country.