Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

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Antarctic sea ice has likely reached its minimum extent for the year, at 1.98 million square kilometers (764,000 square miles) on March 1. The 2025 minimum is effectively tied with 2022 and 2024 for second lowest in the 47-year satellite record. It is 190,000 square kilometers (73,000 square miles) above the record low, set in 2023. The last four minimums have been the lowest on record.

Ted Scambos of Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences weighs in on the conditions that led to this year's low sea ice: https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/antarctic-sea-ice-hits-another-near-record-low

Today on KUNC, CIRES' Kari Bowen emphasized the vital role the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays in weather and climate science — and public data access. "She says NOAA, and the data from its weather satellites, are something many of us use every day."

As NOAA faces staff cuts, one scientist argues its weather data is invaluable The Trump administration’s recent firings of employees with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, led to protests this week. And one scientist felt compelled to write an essay explaining why NOAA’s research is important – and often goes unappreciated.

Dangerous wildfires in South Carolina forced some people to flee their homes over the past few days. Stay up-to-date on how the wildfires are progressing, see where smoke is going, and learn about impacts on air quality, using resources compiled by experts at CIRES and CU Boulder:

Welcome At CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences, hundreds of scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet

New University of Colorado Boulder research found sea otters, an important keystone species, play a vital role in kelp forest recovery — but their level of influence depends on what other species they interact with in salty Pacific Ocean waters.

Read our story: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/sea-otters-help-kelp-forests-recover-how-fast-depends-where-they-are

Read an open letter to our federal colleagues and collaborators from CIRES Director Waleed Abdalati ➡️ https://cires.colorado.edu/news/cires-stands-federal-colleagues-and-collaborators

"While the value of what you do may not be obvious to some, it benefits all. Your work is so important, and it is a true privilege being on the same team as you."

Watch and learn about social and behavioral science work at NOAA. The video was created by Cole Vaughn, a social scientist in NOAA Global Systems Laboratory

NOAA Social and Behavioral Sciences by NOAA Global Systems Laboratory This video describes what social and behavioral scientists do, and how it impacts NOAA research.

For today's , meet Cayla Jones, a travel specialist on the CIRES administration team. Cayla is a lifelong learner and artist — and her favorite vacation was the time she spent in Ireland during an undergraduate study abroad program.

Read more: https://cires.colorado.edu/spotlights/travel-art-and-lifelong-learning

Twila Moon, deputy lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center and researcher at CIRES, shares the challenges U.S. polar scientists face with fewer NSF program officers to support their work.

N.S.F. Cuts Raise Fears of a Reduced U.S. Presence in Polar Regions (Gift Article) The National Science Foundation has fired workers at the office that manages polar research, raising fears about a reduced U.S. presence in two strategic regions.

Fieldwork in cold, remote places presents unique challenges. In 2016, a team of glaciologists dealt with broken gear near the mighty calving front of the Barne Glacier, Antarctica.

📸 : Alison Banwell/CIRES

Fewer wildfires burn in North American forests today than in previous centuries, according to research led by the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station and CIRES. But that's not good news — less frequent fires cause fuel to build up, creating conditions for severe fires. Read the story: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/fewer-forest-fires-burn-north-america-today-past-and-thats-bad-thing

University of Colorado Boulder U.S. Forest Service - Research and Development

Drought has many negative impacts on communities and industry, including reduced agriculture production, significantly reduced water quality and quantity, increased incidence of illness and disease, and an overall diminished quality of life.
NOAA’s Physical Sciences Laboratory and National Integrated Drought Information System are teaming up with partners to create a better early warning system for predicting drought and its impacts.

Learn more at https://psl.noaa.gov/news/2025/droughtpilot.html