Climate
NOAA is charged with helping society understand, plan for, and respond to climate variability and change. This is achieved through the development and delivery of climate sciences and services, the implementation of a global observing system, and focused research and modeling to understand key climate processes. NOAA is committed to providing a suite of relevant climate science and services to help governments, businesses, and communities manage climate risks, adapt to changing conditions, and reduce the threat of climate change.
As NOAA works to further streamline and better serve the rapidly growing demand for a wide variety of user-friendly climate services, we are relying on a wealth of knowledge and analysis, both internal and from our federal and other partners to inform our thinking and future plans.
Click here to view reports and resources from NOAA and partners.
U.S. Global Change Research Program
NOAA is a key participating agency in the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) as well as other significant international, national, and regional activities.
In June, the USGCRP released the Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States report, a NOAA led report providing an updated analysis of the impacts of climate change in the United States. This report is written in plain language and provides an analysis of impacts broken down by regional and industry.
- News Release: New Report Provides Authoritative Assessment of National, Regional Impacts of Global Climate Change
NOAA Climate Programs
NOAA’s climate programs are focused on three themes:
- Climate Observations and Monitoring to describe and understand the state of the climate system through integrated observations, monitoring, data stewardship;
- Climate Research and Modeling to understand and predict climate variability and change in timeframes ranging from weeks to a century; and
- Climate Information Services to improve the ability of society to plan and respond to climate variability and climate change.
NOAA’s operational climate program monitors and forecasts short-term climate fluctuations and provides information on the effects climate patterns can have on the nation
NOAA's Climate Program Office manages competitive grant programs, leads NOAA climate international, education and outreach activities, and coordinates climate activities across NOAA.
More Information
- NOAA Climate Services Portal Prototype
A gateway to NOAA’s climate science and information - Global Climate Change Indicators
Overview of the basic scientific evidence of climate change from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center - NOAA Climate Services Fact Sheet [pdf]
- Testimony from the NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco on “The State of Climate Science” [pdf]
Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Energy Independence and Global Warming, hearing on "The State of Climate Science", December 2, 2009. With permission from: CQ Congressional Transcripts - NOAA Response to Congressional Questions Regarding Climate Change (updated 11/09). [pdf]