The U.S. Department of Commerce recently outlined five ways the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) helped to make America ready for climate change during 2021.
The Jan. 5 Commerce Department news release was issued in response to the 18 natural disasters causing at least $1 billion each in damage during 2021. This included record-setting hot temperatures in Pacific Northwest during the summer, a historic tornado event that devastated eight states in December, the third-busiest hurricane season on record and an extreme February snowstorm that hit the southern United States.
“Climate change is here, and NOAA is playing a key role in tackling the climate crisis,” the release said.
Among the steps NOAA has taken to address climate change is providing more equitable, accurate and accessible climate information, including a new online tool “that helps users determine a county’s risk for, and vulnerability to costly weather and climate disasters such as wildfires, drought, tornado outbreaks and hurricanes,” the release said.
NOAA also improved weather forecasts, aided in the protection of marine ecosystems and improved equitable access for vulnerable populations to climate services, the release said.
In addition, NOAA furthered the country’s clean energy goals by helping to coordinate the siting and permitting of offshore wind projects, the release said.
“NOAA’s work to provide data, information and solutions to address the climate crisis doesn’t end here,” the release said.
