NOAA Ocean Podcast

Seagrasses are plants that grow in semi salty water to full seawater in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the ocean. As one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, seagrasses offer myriad benefits to both humans and the organisms that call them home. In this episode, we explore some of the ecosystem services they offer.

Our ocean and coasts affect us — and we affect them. Almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in coastal shoreline counties. And these counties contribute more than 9 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. But there are many challenges facing our coasts, like climate change, sea level rise, more intense storms, and population growth. So we need to make good decisions today to help our coasts continue to thrive tomorrow. This is the third podcast in a three-part series from the U.S. Global Change Research Program that explores how we make these decisions. In this episode, a panel of government experts share their unique perspectives and experiences regarding the science of coastal decision making, and how the future could look if effective decision making is adopted.

Our ocean and coasts affect us — and we affect them. Almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in coastal shoreline counties. And these counties contribute more than 9 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. But there are many challenges facing our coasts, like climate change, sea level rise, more intense storms, and population growth. So we need to make good decisions today to help our coasts continue to thrive tomorrow. This is the second podcast in a three-part series from the U.S. Global Change Research Program that explores how we make these decisions. In this episode, we explore what the latest behavioral science research can tell us about how we make conservation and environmental decisions. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Our ocean and coasts affect us — and we affect them. Almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in coastal shoreline counties. And these counties contribute more than 9 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. But there are many challenges facing our coasts, like climate change, sea level rise, more intense storms, and population growth. So we need to make good decisions today to help our coasts continue to thrive tomorrow. This is the first podcast in a three-part series from the U.S. Global Change Research Program that explores how we make these decisions. In this episode, hear an interview with coastal consultant Adam Parris on the topic of equity and justice in coastal planning. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

The NOAA Voices Oral History Archive is a collection of more than 2300 oral histories. In this episode, we explore how this valuable resource helps us better understand the impact of weather events, coastal changes and climate change. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

For over six decades, the National Geodetic Survey has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to calculate the U.S. center of population — the precise location where an imaginary, flat, weightless, and rigid map of the United States would balance perfectly if all Americans were of identical weight. Tune in to the latest episode of the NOAA Ocean podcast to learn about the center of population, and how capturing snapshots of the U.S. population reveals long-term migration patterns and even helps us use maps on our smartphones. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, an expert from NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program discusses a disease affecting long-spined sea urchin populations in the Caribbean. We explore how disease has impacted these organisms in the past, their important role in keeping coral reef systems healthy, and how you can help save them. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Keeping our marine transportation system moving safely and efficiently through our busy national waterways depends upon hydrography — the science that measures and describes the physical features of bodies of water through a process called surveying. In this episode, hear how and why this work is done from two NOAA experts who talk about ongoing hydrographic survey missions within the Great Lakes. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, we present a podcast from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers called Engineering with Nature. Host Sarah Thorne and Todd Bridges, Senior Research Scientist for Environmental Science with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Lead of the Engineering With Nature® program, are joined by Steve Thur, Director of NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. Sarah, Todd, and Steve discuss how the practice of Engineering With Nature and the application of nature-based solutions are evolving and the importance of protecting critical coastal ecosystems. They also tell the story of the collaboration and partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Tsunamis pose a threat to our nation’s coastal communities and can have devastating impacts to lives and property. These powerful forces of nature can be caused by events like earthquakes, landslides, and even volcanic activity like the January 2022 eruption in the Tonga Islands region. Although they can’t be stopped, detecting and monitoring these waves when they occur can help warn the public of possible danger. In this episode, we speak with Paul Fanelli, Lead Oceanographer for NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services to learn how water level stations provide critical data to help issue alerts, and about the unique wave caused by the Tonga eruption. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this episode, we speak with Erica Seiden, manager for NOAA’s Ecosystems Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System; and Nelle D'Aversa, a NOAA coastal management specialist, to learn why this site was chosen and what this valuable ecosystem can teach us.

In this episode, we talk with two members of the Federal Sea Level Rise Task Force about the new Sea Level Rise Technical Report, released in 2022. This landmark interagency report provides updated sea level rise projections based upon global warming amounts for the U.S. coastlines by decade to 2150, and provides data to assess current and changes in minor-to-major flood probabilities out to year 2050. The information is intended to inform coastal communities and others about the effects of current and future sea level rise to aid in decision making. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

In this podcast, we share a new series from the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network called The Future Ocean. It's about the effects of ocean acidification and ocean warming on coastal Alaskans and the seafood industry. However, you don’t need to live in our 50th state to listen: the themes featured in this series are global. Hear interviews with a number of experts talking about changing ocean conditions and what it means to put a price on carbon emissions as a tool to accelerate renewable energy infrastructure and drive down carbon emissions. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

When pollution harms our waterways from single events like oil spills or from industrial sites over a span of decades, the cleanup phase is just the beginning. Ultimately, through a process that can take years to decades, settlements are reached with the parties that caused the pollution to fund restoration projects. The goal: to put back what was lost. In this episode, learn how good things like restoration can come from bad things like oil spills and superfund sites. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

From protecting kelp forests and corals to inspiring international collaboration with a common goal, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a vital role in conserving our Earth’s special marine places. In this episode, we speak with Lauren Wenzel, director of NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas Center, about the importance of MPAs, NOAA’s role in managing them, and what the future might look like for these special places. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

What do harmful algal blooms, dust from the Saharan desert, and hurricanes have in common? They are all pieces of the puzzle that modeling puts together to give us the big picture when it comes to studying and understanding our ocean and coasts. In part two of this two-part episode, we continue our conversation with scientist Dr. Tracy Fanara about how modeling supports NOAA mission areas and supports coastal communities. We discuss how modeling helps these communities reduce risks to their lives and livelihoods, and how the National Ocean Service works to meet the evolving needs of those who are impacted. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

What do harmful algal blooms, dust from the Saharan desert, and hurricanes have in common? They are all pieces of the puzzle that modeling puts together to give us the big picture when it comes to studying and understanding our ocean and coasts. In part one of this two-part episode, we take a deep dive into why modeling is important, what kind of data is provided and how collaboration with stakeholders strengthens our knowledge base. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

NOAA is moving into the digital age by phasing out paper nautical charts over five years. In this episode, we talk with NOAA Corps Capt. EJ Van Den Ameele, chief of Coast Survey's marine chart division, to learn how this transition will affect mariners and why electronic charts offer many advantages over paper. And if you still need paper charts, Coast Survey has you covered. EJ discusses how an online tool called NOAA Custom Chart makes it easy to export printable charts for all maritime areas. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes

Lidar stands for light detection and ranging. We explore how this popular remote sensing method supports NOAA’s mission and enables scientists and mapping professionals to examine both natural and manmade environments with accuracy, precision, and flexibility. Episode permanent link, transcript, and show notes