Scientists, environmentalists, and even some conservative policy experts are concerned by Senator Ted Cruz’s recent defense of Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The proposed budget cuts would harm critical weather and climate programs at a time when the United States is struggling with an increasing number of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves.
Weakening The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays a crucial role in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in the US. Forecasts may become slower and less accurate if its budget is reduced, particularly in areas that pay for satellite systems and advanced climate models. That is not just inconvenient; it is also dangerous to the general public. According to the American Meteorological Society, every dollar invested on weather forecasting and warning systems saves up to $6 in disaster expenses.
Cruz claimed last week that NOAA had “drifted too far into climate alarmism,” which is consistent with Trump’s overall anti-science stance. However, this viewpoint ignores NOAA’s life-saving work with farmers, emergency responders, airlines, and millions of Americans who rely on accurate forecasts to make decisions on a daily basis.
What’s Really at Stake?
According to NOAA data, extreme weather has cost the US economy more than $1 trillion over the last decade. The GOES-R satellite system and the National Weather Service’s radar upgrades are both critical for making predictions and shortening disaster response times. If these initiatives were removed, the country’s ability to respond effectively to climate disasters would suffer greatly.
Experts from both sides of the aisle are urging bipartisan support to retain NOAA’s core responsibilities. The official X account of the National Weather Service provides timely weather updates as well as professional remarks.
Degrading America’s forecasting infrastructure as climate concerns mount is not just shortsighted, but also fatal.
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