NOAA's Arctic Mission: Connecting Sound Science with Conservation, Management, and Use

The Arctic lies at the forefront of global change, and will require continuous, integrated, national and international research, policy and management efforts to address the wide range of existing and emerging issues that are, and will continue to, impact arctic residents and regional and global ecosystems. NOAA has begun development of a comprehensive Arctic Strategy that integrates and aligns our numerous and diverse capabilities in support of the efforts of our International, Federal, State and local partners and stakeholders, within the broader context of our Nation’s arctic policies and research goals. By strengthening arctic science and stewardship, NOAA can help to improve our Nation’s understanding of a changing climate and environmental conditions to better inform policy options and management responses to the unique challenges in the arctic region. NOAA envisions an arctic where conservation, management, and use are based on sound science, and support healthy, productive, and resilient communities and ecosystems. For this vision to be realized, it is important that we continue to grow our understanding of, and predictive capabilities for, the global implications of arctic change. NOAA has numerous and diverse capabilities that support emerging arctic issues and resilient communities, and will mobilize those capabilities to pursue six integrated arctic goals that connect sound science with conservation, management, and use, as follows: (1) forecast sea ice, (2) strengthen foundational science to understand and detect arctic climate and ecosystem changes, (3) improve weather forecasts and warnings, (4) enhance national and international partnerships, (5) improve stewardship and management of ocean and coastal resources in the arctic, and (6) advance resilient and viable arctic communities and economies.