#EarthDay: Invest in our changing planet now to secure a more livable future

With a little Earth love, you can help us achieve a Climate-Ready Nation
A doodled graphic of a hand holding a heart above the Earth, which has a piggy bank slot on it. The Earth has the text “Happy Earth Day” on it and is surrounded by drawings of nature including hills, forests, mountains, and the ocean as well as the text “Invest in Our Planet.”

Happy Earth Day from NOAA Education! (Image credit: NOAA Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)

Since the first Earth Day, billions across the globe have invested their time, creativity and energy to honor and nurture our home planet.

In the decades since April 22, 1970, however, global climate change has had an alarming effect on Earth and its inhabitants. In 2022 alone, the U.S. experienced 18 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters. 

So how is NOAA addressing climate change and other environmental challenges?

We’re investing in our planet every day

On July 23, 2008, the chemical tanker Tintomara collided with fuel barge DM932 on the Mississippi River, near New Orleans, Louisiana. Shown here is an aerial view of the resulting oil spill.
On July 23, 2008, the chemical tanker Tintomara collided with fuel barge DM932 on the Mississippi River, near New Orleans, Louisiana. Shown here is an aerial view of the resulting oil spill. (Image credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Since last Earth Day, NOAA scientists reported that greenhouse gas pollution caused by human activities trapped 49% more heat in the atmosphere in 2021 than they did in 1990, directly contributing to the rapid rise of climate change. Read the story.

Did you hear? Atmospheric concentrations of the 3 most important greenhouse gasses — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — continued their historically high rates of growth in 2022, according to a preliminary analysis of tens of thousands of air samples collected last year by NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory. (How does CO2 drive climate change and our warming world? We have an infographic for that.)

Climate change is having a negative impact on marine species. Take the sunflower sea star, for instance. One of the largest sea stars in the world, the sunflower sea star was once common along the Pacific Coast of North America. Its sharp decline has prompted NOAA Fisheries to propose listing the species as threatened.


There are well over 1,000 species listed as either endangered or threatened in the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act. Learn about 6 lesser-known endangered marine animals, and what NOAA Fisheries is doing to aid in their recovery.

But wait, there is some good news 

The good news starts with fish.

From the Pacific to the Atlantic, NOAA's aquaculture efforts are combating climate change. Our own NOAA Emissary Al Roker recently traveled from California to Connecticut to learn about aquaculture as a climate solution. Get the details in our feature story.

Last summer, NOAA scientists reported that the overall concentration of ozone-depleting substances had fallen to just over half the levels measured in 1980. That’s good news for the ozone layer, and good news for us. The Montreal Protocol is a big reason why. Here are 4 facts you might not know about ozone and the historic U.N. treaty that bans the release of harmful ozone-depleting chemicals.

And just last month, a NOAA analysis showed that between 2007 and 2018, U.S. emissions of the super-potent greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) have declined.

Something else to celebrate: Over the past year, NOAA has added two new satellites to its Earth-observing fleet and contributed an instrument to a mission that will help us have a better understanding of Earth’s physical and biological environment. See some of the amazing imagery from our satellites in this Special Edition Earth from Orbit video.

 

Even more good news: Experts say it’s not too late to make a difference. Invest your time and talents as a “citizen scientist.”

Did you know that this week is also National Volunteer Week? Follow your curiosity and join one of a number of volunteer projects designed for you to contribute directly to real-life scientific research.

You might be surprised to learn that some of the most recognizable names in U.S. history collected data in the name of research and science. Check out these 5 citizen scientists of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today here at NOAA, we make every effort to ensure that collaboration, inclusiveness and data quality remain core considerations of the projects that we offer. Learn more about these efforts in this story featuring our brand new Citizen Science Action Plan.

There’s something for everyone, whether it’s reporting  severe weather, expanding the marine microplastics database, measuring Earth’s magnetic field from your smartphone or collecting and recording types of trash that blight our beaches and shorelines. We also have a list of home-based virtual citizen science projects, too.

Citizen science typically involves data collection by members of the public who pass their information along to researchers trying to answer real-world questions. The idea behind citizen science is that anyone, anywhere, can participate in meaningful scientific research.
Citizen science typically involves data collection by members of the public who pass their information along to researchers trying to answer real-world questions. The idea behind citizen science is that anyone, anywhere, can participate in meaningful scientific research. (Image credit: NOAA National Ocean Service)
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Remember: It’s never too soon to engage young scientists in the making. Check out these activities and experiments for kids that will flex their brains while having fun. Our Joint Polar Satellite System videos explain how to make model molecules, create paper out of seeds, and build a rain gauge out of household items. 

But don’t take our word for it. Read these firsthand accounts from NOAA citizen scientists.

Safe to say, it pays (and save$!) to think global and act local: Are your plastic take-out containers piling up? Running the dishwasher twice a day? Here are 10 simple choices you can make now.

Here’s where we come in

At NOAA, we’ve developed a suite of tools to help you stay safe and informed. From drought monitoring in Tribal nations to weather forecasting; flood mapping to sea level rise detection — and so much more — we’re on the ground, in the air, and monitoring the ocean.

From “sea to shining sea,” we’re working with our partners to make major strides towards achieving the goals of America the Beautiful, a decade-long national initiative to conserve and restore at least 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. This video will be a bright spot in your day:

 

Speaking of conserving special places, did you hear the news? NOAA is initiating a process to consider designating all U.S. waters around the Pacific Remote Islands  a national marine sanctuary. The designation would provide additional layers of protection for the region’s important marine ecosystems, maritime heritage resources, and support the cultural heritage and values of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. 

Palmyra Atoll is home to some of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the world and is reported to be among the most predator-dominated and biomass-rich reefs and atolls in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Palmyra Atoll is home to some of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the world and is reported to be among the most predator-dominated and biomass-rich reefs and atolls in the Central Pacific Ocean. (Image credit: With permission. Kydd Pollock/The Nature Conservancy)

Looking to explore some of the 15 national marine sanctuaries but can’t visit in person? Dive in from the comfort of your couch: Immerse yourself in these spectacular 360-degree underwater views. 

If seeing amazing marine life is on your vacation list, we have tools for you:  

Person stepping on corals.
WHAT NOT TO DO: Please don't step or stand on coral reefs; they can easily be damaged or destroyed. Coral reefs worldwide are essential ecosystems to fish and other marine life. (Image credit: Marine Photobank and Ziggy Livnat, For the Sea Productions)
 

From North Carolina to American Samoa and lots of places in between, you'll find NOAA at work as these videos show. And wherever you are this Earth Day, you can always sit back and enjoy this cool video featuring incredible footage from our world ocean! 

 

MORE: Follow NOAA’s Earth Week coverage using the hashtags #EarthMonthNOAA, #EarthDayNOAA and #EarthDay2023. And stay connected by joining our social media communities.

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