NOAA SBIR FY 2022 Phase I

Projected future climate-related changes include increased global temperatures, melting sea ice and glaciers, rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme precipitation events, acidification of the oceans, modifications of growing seasons, changes in storm frequency and intensity, air quality, alterations in species’ ranges and migration patterns, earlier snowmelt, increased drought, and altered river flow volumes. Impacts from these changes are regionally diverse, and affect numerous sectors related to water, energy, transportation, forestry, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and human health. A changing climate will alter the distribution of water resources and exacerbate human impacts on fisheries and marine ecosystems, which will result in such problems as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, changes in species distributions, and excess nutrients in coastal waters. Increased sea levels are expected to amplify the effects of other coastal hazards as ecosystem changes increase invasions of non-native species and decrease biodiversity. The direct impact of climate change on commerce, transportation, and the economy is evidenced by retreating sea ice in the Arctic, which allows the northward expansion of commercial fisheries and provides increased access for oil and gas development, commerce, and tourism. NOAA Objectives: 1. Improved scientific understanding of the changing climate system and its impacts 2. Assessments of current and future states of the climate system that identify potential impacts and inform decisions 3. Mitigation and adaptation efforts supported by sustained, reliable, and timely climate services 4. A climate-literate public that understands its vulnerabilities to a changing climate and makes informed decisions Examples of appropriate topic areas for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following: • Tools that support the development of comprehensive knowledge of greenhouse gases and other climate forcing agents • Improved climate observing and monitoring systems • Advances in climate modeling that lead to improved scientific understanding and a new generation of climate predictions and projections on global to regional scales • Technologies that facilitate quantification of short- to long-term outlooks and projections of Arctic sea ice • Technologies that facilitate the identification of potential climate impacts and vulnerabilities and inform the development of useful climate services • Tools that help communities better prepare for, adapt, and respond to drought and flooding or manage water resources • Technologies that facilitate a better understanding of the risks of sea level rise, changes in Great Lakes hydrology and water levels, and other climate impacts • Tools that help living marine resource managers prepare for and respond to the impacts of a changing climate, ocean acidification, and other climate impacts, and develop management strategies for marine ecosystem conditions • Products or services that help decision makers prepare for and adapt to climate extremes, including deviations in temperatures and precipitation patterns • Tools that facilitate understanding of climate risks by key segments of society and/or support increased resilience to likely climate impacts • Products and services that support educators and other outreach professionals to increase comprehension and use of climate science concepts and education resources

A weather-ready nation is a society that is able to prepare for and respond to environmental events that affect safety, health, the environment, economy, and homeland security. Urbanization and a growing population increasingly put people and businesses at greater risk to the impacts of weather, water, and climate-related hazards. Our Nation’s capacity to provide relevant information about changing weather can help create a society that is more adaptive to its environment; experiences fewer disruptions, dislocation, and injuries; and that operates a more efficient economy. Over the long-term, climate change may increase the intensity and even the frequency of adverse weather events, which range from drought and floods, to wildfires, heat waves, storms, and hurricanes. Changing weather, water, and climate conditions affect the economic vitality of communities and commercial industries, including the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors. Environmental information aligned with user needs will become ever more critical to the safety and well-being of those exposed to sudden or prolonged hazards and is essential to sustain competitive advantage, expand economic growth, and to secure the Nation. NOAA Objectives: 1. Reduced loss of life, property, and disruption from high-impact events 2. Improved freshwater resource management 3. Improved transportation efficiency and safety 4. Healthy people and communities due to improved air and water quality services 5. A more productive and efficient economy through environmental information relevant to key sectors of the U.S. economy Examples of appropriate topic areas for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following: • Technologies that lead to improved community preparedness and fewer weather-related fatalities • Products or services that support impact-based decisions and result in avoidance of economic loss and property damage from flooding • Tools to support wildfire modeling, predictions, and impact on air quality • Products or services that support integrated or improved water forecasts to support water supply management • Tools that support increased efficiencies in water usage in the transportation, hydropower, and agriculture sectors • Tools that support a reduction in aviation delays, grounding or sinking of cargo vessels, transportation fatalities, unnecessary evacuations, or economic losses due to weather-related events • Technologies that facilitate improved information on the linkages among human health, weather, water, and climate for decision makers • Products or services that result it reduced adverse health impacts attributable to air pollution • Technologies that facilitate production gains in renewable energy through better information about weather or support sustainable wind energy development • Tools that facilitate advanced warning of geomagnetic storms • Technologies that facilitate the development of an integrated suite of weather- and climate-related information relevant to food security needs

Ocean ecosystems provide many benefits to humans, including food, recreational opportunities, and support for economies. However, the resources that our marine, coastal, and Great Lakes environments present to us are already stressed by human uses. Habitat changes have depleted fish and shellfish stocks, increased the number of species that are at-risk, and reduced biodiversity. Because humans are an integral part of the ecosystem, declines in ecosystem functioning and quality directly impact human health and well-being. As long-term environmental, climate, and population trends continue, global demands for seafood and energy, recreational use of aquatic environments, and other pressures on habitats and over-exploited species will increase as will concerns about the sustainability of ecosystems and safety of edible fish. Depleted fish stocks and declines in iconic species (such as killer whales, salmon, and sea turtles) result in lost opportunities for employment, economic growth, and recreation along the coasts. In addition, climate change impacts to the ocean, including sea level rise, acidification, and warming, will alter habitats and the relative abundance and distribution of species. Climate change poses serious risks to coastal and marine ecosystems productivity, which, in turn, impacts recreational, economic, and conservation activities. NOAA Objectives: 1. Improved understanding of ecosystems to inform resource management decisions 2. Recovered and healthy marine and coastal species 3. Healthy habitats that sustain resilient and thriving marine resources and communities 4. Sustainable fisheries and safe seafood for healthy populations and vibrant communities Examples of appropriate topic areas for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following: • Technologies that facilitate increased use of ecosystem information (such as Integrated Ecosystem Assessments) in natural resource decisions in marine, estuarine, Great Lake and riverine systems • Tools that support increased development and use of climate considerations in fishery and protected resource decisions and in coastal and marine spatial planning processes • Technologies that support next-generation fish and protected resource stock assessments and incorporate habitat, ecosystem, and climate information • Technologies that support the collection of high-quality data to inform management plans and decisions for living marine resource managers • Tools that support improved habitat assessments to increase understanding of the role of habitat in providing marine and coastal ecosystem services • Technologies that support increased use of social and economic indicators in the conservation and management decision making processes • Tools and technologies that support stabilization and/or increased abundance of species that are depleted, threatened, or endangered • Technologies that lead to decreased bycatch of target, non-target, and protected species or otherwise increase numbers of protected species with improving status • Tools that support increased protection and restoration of marine and coastal habitats to enhance vital ecosystem services • Tools that support increased use of partnerships, scientifically sound conservation measures, coastal and marine spatial planning, and regional ecosystem conservation approaches to protect and restore priority habitats • Technologies that facilitate addressing climate change impacts in conservation actions to promote long- term habitat resilience and adaptation. • Technologies that increase abundance of overfished stocks or reduce the number of stocks subject or overfishing • Technologies and services that result in expanded recreational and commercial fishing opportunities • Tools and technologies that facilitate sustainable aquaculture practices and facilities • Technologies that support an increased proportion of inspected seafood

The complex interdependence of ecosystems and economies will grow with increasing uses of land, marine, and coastal resources, resulting in particularly heavy economic and environmental pressures on the Nation’s coastal communities. Continued growth in coastal populations, economic expansion, and global trade will further increase the need for safe and efficient maritime transportation. Similarly, the Nation’s profound need for conventional and alternative energy presents many economic opportunities but will also result in greater competition for ocean space, challenging our ability to make informed decisions that balance conflicting demands as well as economic and environmental considerations. At the same time, the interdependence of ecosystems and economies makes coastal and Great Lakes communities increasingly vulnerable to chronic — and potentially catastrophic — impacts of natural and human-induced hazards, including climate change, oil spills, harmful algal blooms and pathogen outbreaks, and severe weather hazards. NOAA Objectives 1. Resilient coastal communities that can adapt to the impacts of hazards and climate change 2. Comprehensive ocean and coastal planning and management 3. Safe, efficient and environmentally sound marine transportation 4. Improved coastal water quality supporting human health and coastal ecosystem services 5. Safe, environmentally sound Arctic access and resource management Examples of appropriate topic areas for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following: • Technologies that support the integration and usability of science-based tools and information in assessing hazard risk, vulnerability, and resilience for decision makers in coastal communities • Technologies that support improved community readiness in response to natural and human-induced coastal hazards • Technologies that support healthy natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem services within coastal economies and communities. • Technologies that support the coastal and marine spatial planning process • New or enhanced models, data, tools, and practices to support informed spatial planning, management, and stewardship of Coastal and Great Lakes resources and ecosystems • Technologies that support enhanced geospatial frameworks and data collection relevant for decision- support tools for coastal communities • Technologies that reduce maritime incidents in U.S. waters by providing timely and accurate navigational information • Tools that support an improved national geospatial framework and increase accuracy of navigation products and services • Products and services integrating real-time navigation at national ports • Tools that facilitate preparedness and response to maritime incidents and emergencies • Technologies that facilitate greater understanding of the effects of natural and human-induced ocean contaminants on the health of humans and marine life • Technologies that reduce impacts to human health and ecosystem services due to degraded water quality • Technologies that facilitate faster detection of sediments and contaminants in coastal waters • Tools that facilitate accelerated recovery and restoration of coastal resources and revitalization of coastal communities through improved water quality • Technologies that reduce risk and impact of maritime incidents on the Arctic environment • Technologies that support adaptation to climate change and weather events within Arctic communities and ecosystems • Technologies that support a stronger foundational geospatial framework to better support economic and community resilience and inform policy options and coastal management responses to the unique challenges in the Arctic region