Publisher's Synopsis
We operate from the surface of the sun to the bottom of the ocean. NOAA's science, services, and stewardship missions require a synthesis of space, ground, and ocean-based observations from satellites, ships, aircraft, buoys, weather stations, and radiosondes just to name a few. This synthesis, coupled with sound scientific understanding of Earth systems and processes and advance modeling capabilities, is absolutely essential to NOAA's ability to provide critical environmental intelligence to keep the nation informed of the changing environment. NOAA provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the private and public sectors. NOAA provides environmental intelligence that decision-makers depend upon to guide decisions they must make every day. To meet that end NOAA must understand and predict changes in the climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. In 2009, the public obtained 301 billion forecasts. Based on an average annual household value of $286 placed on weather information, the American public collectively receives 31.5 billion in benefits from forecasts each year. When it comes to severe weather preparedness, calculated near-term investments build capacity for drastic savings - of life, property, and habitat - in the future. Last year alone, the U.S. experienced 11 weather-related disasters. These included Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, tornado outbreaks across the Great Plains, Texas, and Southeast/Ohio Valley, the most extensive drought since the 1930's, and wildfires that burned over 9.2 million acres. NOAA's "Weather-Ready Nation" initiative envisions a society that is prepared for, and responds to, weather -related events. NOAA protects and preserves the Nation's living marine resources through scientific research, fisheries management, enforcement and habitat conservation. Commercial and recreational fishing industries depend on healthy and abundant fish stocks. NOAA must work to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. In 2011, the U.S. seafood industry supported approximately 1.2 million full- and part-time jobs and generated $129 billion in sales impacts, $37 billion in income impacts, and $48 billion in value added impacts. NOAA will sustain efforts to rebuild American fisheries and maintain them at sustainable levels to optimize fishing opportunities, jobs and environmental benefits. By investing in the management of vital marine resources now, NOAA works to ensure these resources will contribute to thriving communities and their economies now and in the future. NOAA provides products, services and information that promote safe navigation, support coastal communities, sustain marine ecosystems, and mitigate coastal hazards. NOAA delivers nautical charts, real time tides and currents, accurate positioning infrastructure, and emergency response support to benefit safe, efficient, and secure transportation on U.S. waterways. America's seaports support the employment of 13.3 million U.S. workers. Coastal shoreline counties contributed $6.6 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011, which is just under half of the U.S. GDP5 and a total of 51 million jobs in 2011. NOAA partners with states to implement a range of programs that help keep America's coasts healthy and resilient. As such, our vision for the future centers on resilience- resilient ecosystems, resilient communities and resilient economies.
