Trump
administration plan shifts NOAA focus away from climate science to
homeland and national security – “A shocking change in the
mission of one of the nation’s premier scientific agencies”
By John Schwartz
24 June 2018
25
June, 2018
(The
New York Times) – The Trump administration appears to be planning
to shift the mission of one
of the most important federal science agencies that works on climate
change —
away from climate change.
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the
Department of Commerce, operates a constellation of earth-observing
satellites. Because of its work on climate science data collection
and analysis, it has become one
of the most important American agencies for making sense of the
warming planet.
But that focus may shift, according to a slide presentation at a
Department of Commerce meeting by Tim Gallaudet, the acting head of
the agency.
In
the presentation, which included descriptions of the past and present
missions for the agency, the past mission listed three items,
starting with “to understand and predict changes in climate,
weather, oceans and coasts.” In contrast, for the present mission,
the word “climate” was gone, and the first line was replaced with
“to observe, understand and predict atmospheric and ocean
conditions.”
The
presentation also included a new emphasis: “To protect lives and
property, empower the economy, and support homeland and national
security.” […]
Andrew
A. Rosenberg, a former NOAA scientist and senior executive who now
serves as director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the
Union of Concerned Scientists and who has seen the presentation
material, issued a statement responding to the NOAA presentation that
called the move “a shocking change in the mission of one of the
nation’s premier scientific agencies.” The decision, he said, is
“misguided and harmful to our country.”
“Understanding
the changing climate is becoming more critical by the day, as the
effects of global warming mount,” he added.
Climate
research already protects the economy, Mr. Rosenberg said. “NOAA is
continuously working to improve forecasts of extreme events, which
are intensifying in a warming world. As we know from last year’s
wildfires and hurricanes, these kind of forecasts are critical for
protecting American lives and infrastructure.” […]
Kevin
Trenberth, a climate expert at the National Center for Atmospheric
Research, said that the presentation “does raise alarm bells.” In
an email, he asked, “Where is climate?”
“Instead
of protecting and preserving ecosystems, it is one of exploitation,”
he added. “The latter is especially offensive and shortsighted.”
[more]
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