Biden Admin Puts $1M into Arctic Climate Research
TL/DR –
The U.S. Commerce Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have allocated $1 million to enhance Arctic climate data collection, particularly in Alaska, which is warming faster than any other U.S. region. The funds come from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and will be used to gather grant proposals from various institutions to aid in improving climate and data collection. The NOAA National Climate Assessment found that Alaska’s warming rate is two to three times faster than the lower 48 states, and the Arctic as a whole is warming nearly four times faster than the global average.
U.S Commits $1 Million to Improve Arctic Climate Data Collection
The U.S. Commerce Department, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have declared $1 million in funding to enhance Arctic climate data collection. This aims to address the accelerated warming in the U.S. Arctic region, primarily Alaska, which is a growing concern.
According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, this urgent issue demands immediate action. The new funding, part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that also includes allocations for clean energy development, will equip us with “data and tools that can build climate resilience and strengthen our economy and national security.”
The funding will be directed to solicit innovative grant ideas from higher education institutions, nonprofits, and commercial organizations. These groups will focus on enhancing climate data collection, with special attention given to Alaskan communities.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad stresses the dual purpose of the call for grant proposals. It aims to gather data while supporting Alaskan rural and Indigenous communities. “Giving communities access to environmental information helps them make informed decisions amid a changing climate, which is a key step towards a more climate-resilient nation,” he said.
According to the latest NOAA National Climate Assessment, Alaska is experiencing warming at a pace two to three times faster than the lower 48 states. Moreover, the Arctic as a whole is warming nearly four times faster than the global average.
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