National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a government agency of the United States created to investigate and report environmental changes that directly affect our country. Information is gathered about the world's oceans, coastal areas, and the Earth's atmosphere. The data is then analyzed in an effort to develop and implement conservation plans necessary for the proper management of natural resources.

Prior to the NOAA's creation, separate entities severally conducted scientific and environmental research in the United States. In 1970, the federal government established a central agency to be held responsible for oceanic and atmospheric monitoring. Not only have consolidated efforts to predict natural disasters saved lives and property, but commerce also benefited from knowing about climate changes that could have adversely effected numerous industries and trade relationships.

Since the agency was created to serve the public and government, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration addresses five service areas including ecosystems, climate, weather and water, commerce and transportation, and mission support. Through the creation of programs and special projects within local and global communities, the agency is able to achieve its goals. Findings are then reported online for public view.

Ecosystems are identified and managed using an ecosystem-based approach, which is a strategy encompassing conservation and industry goals in a sustainable way by giving incentives to businesses like fisheries committed to preserving marine life and protecting biodiversity. An ecosystem approach focuses on the whole community rather than one species. Educating people and companies via outreach programs is standard protocol in hopes of growing the number of environmental stewards.

Comprehending changes in climate conditions is conducted through cooperative research efforts resulting in reliable scientific data potentially influential on society's future plans ranging from transportation to food decisions. Observations are recorded in a modeling program and potential projections are run. These findings are disseminated so that decision makers can plan accordingly for conditions commonly associated with bad weather like flooding or drought.

Weather and water information is divided into three separate categories including data users, extreme events, and observing systems. Data users houses material for reference purposes typically pertinent to businesses, academia, and other government agencies. Extreme events reports data on which people should act upon in the near future to avoid disastrous outcomes. Observing systems provides an overview of systems, such as land surface, marine surface, modeling, radar, satellite, and upper air tools used to monitor weather patterns.

The Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) responsible for providing real time weather conditions to prevent road and air accidents supports the commerce and transportation area. ESRL has knowledge about gases, particles, climate, water, weather, atmospheric layers, and air quality. High tech observatories gather data, which are then inputted into a modeling system recording trends over a long period of time. From this material, the ESRL develops products, services, and systems made available to public and private sectors.

National Ocean Service supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by providing facilities, products, technology, monies, and personnel necessary to conduct research and compile data into useful formats. All services are intended to ultimately support the service areas discussed above in order to 'conserve and manage coastal and marine resources' as well as 'understand the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem'.

All this information is made possible because the NOAA is efficiently organized. The National Weather Service can warn of potentially dangerous weather due to satellite access. The National Ocean Service uses satellites too along with buoys and tidal stations. Satellites not only monitor conditions directly affecting us but also situations in outer space. The National Marine Fisheries Services recognizes that commercial fishing is historically a tradition with coastal communities and works with locals to create jobs and protect marine resources. The Coastal Services Center works on educating the public and corporations about the importance of protecting marine areas for our future. The Research Council forms partnerships and grants to further educational studies of science and technology.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has grown substantially since 1970 and has proven to be a worthwhile agency providing local and global communities with current and reliable information. Material gathered is appropriately catalogued for future generations to reference, and conservation and management plans are continually reevaluated for their effectiveness. The NOAA will surely play a role in how our natural resources are managed going forward.