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State of the Science Fact Sheets

NOAA leads a high-impact science program focusing on research designed to meet the evolving needs of our society and planet. To assist the general public in understanding the state of the science, NOAA develops State of the Science Fact Sheets about key research areas central to our societal needs. These high-interest research topics may be considered complex and contain a diversity of science views at NOAA. The NOAA Science Council oversees the creation and updating of these fact sheets, and the most recent documents are posted here for the public. 

In accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-113 and the associated Procedural Handbook, State of the Science Fact Sheets that are more than two years old are currently under review for updates.

Image credit: NOAA CSL

Aerosols, Weather, and Climate
(Aug 2022)
Image credit: NOAA CSL

Air Quality
(Jan 2025)
 

Atlantic Hurricanes and Climate Change
(May 2023)
Image credit: NOAA AOML

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) (May 2025)
Image credit: NASA

Carbon Dioxide Removal
(Jul 2024)
Image credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration

Deep-Sea Mining (Jan 2025)

Emerging Science for Earth Observations
(Sept 2023)

Fire Weather
(Jan 2025)
Image credit: Climate.gov

Greenhouse Gases and Climate
(May 2024)

Harmful Algal Blooms
(Feb 2025)
Image credit: NOAA Research

How Human-Caused Climate Change Affects Extreme Events (Jan 2025)
Image credit: NOAA Fisheries West Coast

Marine Heatwaves
(Dec 2024)

Methane and Climate Change
(Aug 2022)

Ocean Acidification
(Jul 2022)

Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Flooding
(Feb 2022)

Solar Radiation Modification
(Jul 2024)
Image credit: NOAA Fisheries West Coast

Stock Assessments: Science for Sustainable Fisheries (Feb 2025)

Tornadoes, Climate Variability, and Climate Change (Sept 2023)

Uncertainty in Forecasting Weather and Water
(Jan 2025)
Image credit: NOAA ESRL

US Drought
(Oct 2024)

Information for Fact Sheet Writing Teams

State of the Science Fact Sheet regulations and guidelines can be found in NOAA Administrative Order 216-113 and the associated Procedural Handbook. Please use the approved NOAA SoS Fact Sheet Template (2010) for all State of the Science Fact Sheets.