Today, NOAA and the Climate Mayors offsite link, a bipartisan network of over 750 mayors who are committed to taking climate action in their communities, announced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that advances collaborative efforts to help cities across the nation better prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. 

This MOU formalizes collaboration between NOAA and the Climate Mayors to accelerate the use of climate information and expertise at the local level. The agreement will also ensure that NOAA’s world-class climate science and tools are easy for local leaders across the country to access, understand and use. By strengthening collaborative efforts between NOAA and Climate Mayors, mayors will have the resources they need to act on their commitment to take climate action in their communities.

“The climate crisis continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities across the nation,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “This partnership with the Climate Mayors will undoubtedly help make way for NOAA's vision of creating a more climate-ready nation — one that is ready for, responsive and resilient to the rapidly changing climate.”

“Impactful solutions only evolve from a deep understanding of climate science and what is truly at stake for cities in the face of climate change,” said Kate Wright, executive director of Climate Mayors. “By partnering with NOAA, Climate Mayors across the country will gain access to insightful climate data and services — enhancing their ability to prepare for and respond to a changing climate. This partnership will ensure that all communities, especially those most at risk, have the opportunity to bolster resilience and build a safer tomorrow.”

The MOU outlines ways for NOAA and the Climate Mayors to work together to boost climate resilience by improving the development and dissemination of climate information and services.

NOAA and the Climate Mayors agree to collaborate on the following actions, with the shared goal of increasing local access to climate science and tools:

• NOAA will provide regional and local climate decision support services, including relevant climate information to help core partners and communities prepare and make decisions when faced with high-impact weather or climate-related events.
• Climate Mayors will inform NOAA’s climate service development and delivery to support a climate-ready nation and provide annual reporting of data gaps.
• Climate Mayors will highlight adaptation successes, contribute to case studies and lessons learned and encourage its members to participate in monitoring and evaluation efforts led by NOAA and its partners.
• NOAA will annually brief Climate Mayors leadership on climate products, data, tools services and other relevant opportunities. The Climate Mayors will also receive timely updates on climate tools and other informational products related to seasonal and high-impact events.

The MOU will remain in effect for five years and will be reviewed every two years.

Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.