On September 12, the extent of sea ice in the Arctic reached the third lowest level ever recorded since satellite records began in 1979. Only 2007 and 2008 have had smaller ice extents than 2009.
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“The fact is scientists really can’t predict at this time what the impacts will be on any particular species.”
In May and June each year, speculation about the coming of the monsoon fills newspapers and conversations across India. Everyone is concerned about if, when, and how much rain will arrive. But none have more at stake than India’s over 100 million farming households.
Improved computer models help scientists understand Earth’s ocean.
Coral reefs are important and productive ocean ecosystems, providing shelter and protection for diverse sea life. NOAA's latest seasonal outlook for coral bleaching shows potential for bleaching along the Pacific coast of Mexico and islands in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean.
As the ocean absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide, the pH of the water drops. The more acidic water harms corals and other shell-building sea life.
“If the sea level goes up two or three feet along the coast of Maine in this century, that’s a very significant change.”
Global land and sea surface temperatures in August 2009 broke several records. The world’s ocean surface temperature was the warmest for any August on record.
Rhode Island's coasts are already feeling the impacts of rising seas. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and Rhode Island Sea Grant are working with the legislature to explicitly address sea level rise and climate change in the state's building code.
NOAA Earth scientists discuss their roles and responsibilities in sharing what they know about the climate system with the public.