Climate Change and Your National Marine Sanctuaries
A rapidly changing climate brings challenges to our underwater parks in ways we have never seen before. Climate-related impacts, like changing weather patterns and storm events, warming seas, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, are becoming more prevalent around the globe. Changes in climate will affect national marine sanctuaries and the overall health of the ocean, which is vital to our quality of life and, ultimately, our survival. See an infographic on climate change impacts and how marine protected areas can help address them here.
Discover how climate change is affecting our nation’s underwater treasures, what the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is doing about it, and how you can help.
Science
National marine sanctuaries are establishing sentinel sites to monitor and study changes in natural and historic resources in these important places.
Impacts
Learn about the ways climate change is already affecting our ocean, including in our national marine sanctuaries.
Assessment and Adaptation
National marine sanctuaries are taking action to assess and adapt to climate impacts.
Education
Resources for educators about climate, our ocean, and national marine sanctuaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Climate
- NASA Vital Signs
- National Park Service
- Climate.gov
- Global Warming FAQs
- Fourth National Climate Assessment FAQs
Videos
Check out these videos that show how climate change is affecting our underwater parks and how the National Marine Sanctuary System is working to understand and respond to climate impacts.
