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PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS — HELP FROM ABOVE In October 2002, the Federal Communications Commission granted a request by NOAA to permit the nationwide use of Personal Locator Beacons — commonly known as PLBs — beginning July 1, 2003. What this landmark decision means is that hikers and other outdoor adventurers will be able to take advantage of the same lifesaving technology that mariners and aviators have been able to enjoy for years — a satellite-aided search and rescue system that aims to reduce the time required to alert rescue authorities whenever a distress situation occurs.

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NOAA's CARBON CYCLE SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS Six federal agencies are coordinating their individual carbon cycle research programs to address common research goals outlined in a U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan. The main objective for the NOAA Global Carbon Cycle research program is to improve the nation's ability to predict the fate of anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 and future atmospheric CO2 concentrations using a combination of global observations, process-oriented field studies and modeling.

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THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF CURRENT AND IMPROVED WEATHER FORECASTS TO U.S. HOUSEHOLDS With an annual budget of about $1.4 billion, the average U.S. household pays about $13 a year for NOAA’s services. Unfortunately, there is little if any reliable economic information indicating whether these services are worth this amount, although it is widely assumed that the benefits far exceed the costs. Recognizing a need for better information on the economic value of weather forecasts, NOAA commissioned a study to assist in evaluating and quantifying the benefits to households of potential improvements in weather forecasting services.

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NOAA CLIMATE MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS LABORATORY The NOAA CMDL mission is “to acquire, evaluate and make available long-term records of atmospheric gases, aerosol particles and solar radiation in a manner that allows the causes of climate change to be understood.” Full Story Inside

NOAA SPACE ENVIRONMENT CENTER The NOAA Space Environment Center is the nation’s official source of space weather alerts and warnings. Jointly operated by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force, SEC provides forecasts and warnings of solar and geomagnetic activity to users in government, industry and the private sector. Full Story Inside

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